Asa swimmer I notice when things are a bit out of sync in the seasons, when there is a change in the flora and fauna or if something isn’t quite right in the water. Like many swimmers I know, I pluck out rubbish from the water when I swim, I litter pick my swim spots and try to do my little bit. But some swimmers take their fight further and I am constantly blown away by the effort, passion and determination in our community to make access to the water better, improve water quality, protect wildlife and campaign for the environment. But fighting for our right to swim doesn’t just stop there. From individual swimmers like Sophie Etheridge campaigning for disability access (p33), to companies like Zone3 trying to bring about industry change (p16) the fight for a better swimming world is being fought on many fronts.
We are all consumers. Our desire for more stuff is a global issue. Swimming outdoors makes us want to protect and look after our world, but we are also impacting it. How can you be a better swimmer? You can consider the things you wear and when to repair or recycle. You can support charities, organisations and communities that are working towards change. You could lead on an issue that impacts you or others. Whatever kind of campaigner you may or might be, I hope this issue inspires you to think differently about how, where and what you do while swimming!