Pride Swim to be held at London Aquatics Centre

Returning to its launch site, the Pride Swim at the London Aquatics Centre is part of a nationwide initiative that first made waves during the Aquatics GB Swimming Championships in April.

Swims are now taking place across the country, seeking to support the physical and mental health of participants and encourage inclusion, whilst also raising money for Switchboard, the national LGBTQIA+ Support Line, in their 50th year.

The initiative is run by Out & Wild Events, IMPROPER Agency and aquatics club Out to Swim, while it is also supported by Swim England and London Marathon Events.

Leading leisure operator Everyone Active, which is one of the core event partners, runs the London Aquatics Centre at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in partnership with the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC).

All swimmers who sign up for the Pride Swim at the centre get to choose their distance and will receive a medal and a downloadable certificate.

The session, due to take place from 3pm until 4pm, will also feature floats, toys and inflatables. It is open to all in the LGBTQ+ community and allies. For more information on Pride Swim 2024, visit www.prideswim.org

Chris Wells, Everyone Active’s contract manager, said: “We look forward to welcoming the local community for this exciting and inclusive event. This is a fantastic opportunity for people to enjoy our state-of-the-art facilities, while improving their physical health and wellbeing and raising money for a brilliant cause.”

Philip Hewson, LLDC’s Director of Procurement and chair of its LGBTQ+ staff forum, said: “There’s no better way than a Pride Swim to showcase the safe and inclusive space at London Aquatics Centre. It’s one of the world’s best public swimming pools, accessible for people of all abilities and open every day to welcome the LGBTQ+ community.”

Founder of Pride Swim and Out & Wild Festival, Polly Shute, said: “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 Switchboard, Steph Fuller, said: "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."