London’s newest open water swimming spot opens in Southwark

28 August 2024

Swimmers from Southwark and South London can now try new open water swimming sessions at Greenland Dock, near Canada Water.

Open water swimming (also known as cold water swimming or wild swimming) has been introduced as part of Southwark Council’s leisure services offer following it being brought back in-house in 2023 and is being operated from the council’s Surrey Docks Fitness and Watersports Centre, next to the dock.

Cllr Portia Mwangangye, Cabinet Member for Leisure, Parks and Young People, said: “The Greenland Dock open swim course is a great place to experience open water swimming in a safe and scenic environment. There is something truly special about swimming in the open air with the view of a London skyline in front of you.

“Introducing open water swimming was a key commitment in our council delivery plan and I am thrilled we have been able to bring the wide range of health benefits of open swimming to Southwark this summer.

“The sessions are already proving popular, and we are looking at re-introducing them next year.”

James Paramore, Business Engagement Manager at Swim England, who have been supporting the council with the project, said: “Congratulations to Southwark Leisure for bringing swimming to Greenland Dock.

“The addition of outdoor swimming also comes at the perfect time. We have seen the popularity of outdoor swimming rocket since the pandemic, with over 4 million adults swimming in open water each year in England. That includes almost 1 million Londoners and 50,000 adults across Southwark alone, so I am sure the opportunity to take a dip in Surrey Docks will be a welcome addition to the landscape for thousands of people of all ages.

“Our Value of Swimming report found that swimming outdoors generates more than double the happiness of swimming indoors, with open water swimmers 9% happier than their non-swimming counterparts.

“We look forward to seeing people getting in the water and making use of this fantastic venue, with its incredible views of London’s iconic skyline.”

Open water swimming session are available for adults only and you must be a competent swimmer to take part. The docks are only open for open water swimming during the supervised sessions. People MUST NOT swim in the docks outside of these times.

For more information or to book a session, visit the council’s leisure website at https://southwarkleisure.co.uk/watersports/

Sessions will run until the end of October.

Page last updated: 28 August 2024