Pride Swim 2024 will launch at the Aquatics GB Swimming Championships in London on Saturday, 6 April, with over 20 events planned across the UK from June onwards; “These events are a great way to bring communities together, with a real focus on wellbeing,” says organiser Polly Shute…
Pride Swim 2024 will launch at the Aquatics GB Swimming Championships at the London Aquatics Centre on Saturday, with swimmers from across the community taking part in a swim session.
Pride Swim is a queer-led initiative developed and run by Out & Wild Events, IMPROPER Agency and community group Out to Swim.
The swims are all about connecting the LGBTQ+ community and allies. The community-based initiative aims to get thousands of people swimming and connecting with others to support their physical and mental health, encourage inclusion and raise money for charity partner Switchboard LGBTQIA+ support line, in their 50th year.
Pride Swim is backed and supported by Swim England and London Marathon Events.
The core event partners for swims will be Everyone Active and Love Open Water. Everyone Active will be running family events at 10 leisure centres, with Love Open Water hosting at least four events.
There will also be two swims at the Out & Wild Festival in Lawrenny, Pembrokeshire (31 May to 2 June), and two swims for members at Soho House in June – with more swims in Brighton and Cornwall due to be added in the next few weeks.
Events will take place across the UK, with leisure pools and open water sites in locations including London, Bristol, Leeds, Nottingham, Manchester, Derby and Sunderland.
The Pride Swim Team are also talking to Prides across the UK to have beach swims.
There will also be the opportunity for participants to swim wherever they live during June, July and August (traditionally known as Pride season). They can simply register for a Pride Swim pack.
The Pride Swims are open to all in the LGBTQ+ community and supportive allies. Swims at Everyone Active will be family swim events designed for children and parents/carers to get involved.
All swimmers who sign up get to choose their distance, and will receive a medal and a downloadable certificate – some will get free swim caps. The swims are not competitive, but are all about taking part. Swimmers can also purchase Pride Swim merchandise, including swim caps.
Swimmers can also choose to fundraise for Switchboard LGBTQIA+ helpline.
Founder of Pride Swim and Out & Wild Festival, Polly Shute, says: “We are really excited to roll out Pride Swims across the UK this summer.
“These events are a great way to bring communities together, with a real focus on wellbeing.
“We have worked hard with our partners to ensure the swims are open to all, including families as well as adults and that they embrace the whole LGBTQ+ community and allies.”
CEO of charity partner Switchboard, Steph Fuller, says: “We are delighted to be working with Pride Swim on these events, and encouraging people, whatever their body or prior experience, to enjoy taking part in swimming.”
For more information on Pride Swim 2024, visit www.prideswim.org
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