Openwater Issue 7, Winter 2017 | Page 23

Williamstown Open Water Swim Coaching

Personalised Open Water Swim Coaching and Stroke Correction by experienced and accredited swim coach Jason "Stingray" Bryce.

Contact: 0428 777 727

https://williamstownopenwaterswimcoaching.wordpress.com/

Image Courtesy StateLibQld: Three men on a diving board over a swimming hole, 1920-1930

As the Swiss have already realised, to swim in an urban river is to reclaim, one stroke at a time, a public space and a wilder romantic past. It is no coincidence that the same country that zealously promotes urban river and lake swimming can also lay claim to a distinguished environmental record. Our regular, primary contact with this most primal of elements can act in a way to force change in the way our rivers are managed, helping both people and the environment to be a bit healthier.

This article was coauthored by Sally McPhee, based on her honours thesis for RMIT’s Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning.