Eight British swimmers have begun a 200km relay from the source of the River Thames, demanding urgent action to protect the UK’s rivers, lakes and seas.
The swimmers, who include Olympians and athletes who have competed in Open Water Swimming at World Aquatics Championships, set off from the source of the River Thames yesterday and will complete the relay on Thursday (4 September) morning.
They will be joined by clean water campaigners from river communities along the route. After completing the relay at Teddington Lock, the swimmers and communities will travel together by boat and kayak to Westminster in a symbolic call for action on sewage pollution.
The Thames Swim Against Sewage has been coordinated by campaigning charity Surfers Against Sewage (SAS).
Toby Robinson, a Paris 2024 Olympian and member of the event relay, explained the importance of the relay, following on from the successful cleanup effort of the River Seine as a strong legacy of last year’s Olympic Games.
“The Thames is absolutely iconic. I'm doing this swim to tell the story of the river - the positive communities working to clean it up and the challenges it faces,” Robinson said.
“I'm also trying to build upon the legacy of the Paris Olympics last year. The Games set a precedent that our urban rivers can be cleaned up enough for city dwellers to enjoy and dip in. This should be a right for all people.
“Cleaning up the Thames brings this dream one step closer for Londoners."
Robinson is joined on the relay by Amber Keegan, who represented Great Britain at two World Aquatics Championships, and World Aquatics Championships – Doha 2024 bronze medallist Hector Pardoe.
Emily Forwood, Colleen Blair, Calum Maclean, Jessika Robson and Daniel Smyth complete the line-up of world-class swimmers.
World Aquatics continues to advocate passionately for clean and safe waters around the world.
Further information on the Thames Swim Against Sewage, including a live Swim Tracker, can be found here.