The British Gas ‘Big Dip’: the UK’s Urban Swim Festival

Photograph ©British Gas

I’ve got a somewhat turbulent relationship with swimming if I’m honest. Like so many awkward adolescent girls growing up, I dreaded school swimming lessons and resorted to that old friend, or enemy as is often the case: my period, most weeks as a get out clause. I also had good reason.

My Mother got my brother and I swimming from an early age and despite being pretty competent, a push in the deep end by an unorthodox swimming teacher aged 11, left me in shallow waters ever since. Don’t get me wrong, I love swimming and find myself at my most creative while swimming lengths (in the fully shallow gym pool no doubt) and always feel utterly relaxed post swim. I just wish I felt more confident in deeper water and in the sea, abroad.

So when British Gas approached me about Olympian Steve Parry’s brainchild ‘The Big Dip’, an Urban Swim Festival, I got super excited. Even more so when I met him over lunch with a handful of other super bloggers, and discovered his love of swimming was actually borne from a near death drown as a child which left him determined to learn to swim.

Steve (below)  is dedicated in inspiring others now,  helping children (and adults) to swim and become more confident in the water.  Something I do could do with myself.

Photograph of Steve Parry ©Vicki Psarias-Broadbent.

The British Gas’ Big Dip, in association with Speedo, will feature 2, I repeat 2x12m heated outdoor pools and a beach on Clapham Common. Yes you read correctly, a beach in London! Whoop, Whoop!!

It promises to be a seriously fun day out for the all, whether you fancy a quick dip in the pool, would like to learn to swim or improve your technique and you can even try your hand at Aqua Zumba or Mini Polo. Sounds “totes fabulous sweeties”. The festival has already kicked off to great success and is running on Clapham Common until August the 14th.

But wait, there’s more, I have 5 date-free tickets admitting one adult and two children (under the age of 12) to the Big Dip to give away, so just leave a comment here or on my FB page Honest Mum and first come, first served.

So what you waiting for? Get your cossie on and I’ll see you at the beach. Mine’s a Mohito…

I’ll be reporting back on my experiences at the Big Swim soon…

Pictures above show Jodie Kidd and Mark Foster supporting The Big Dip and below Steve Parry explaining the Big Dip to myself and other bloggers over lunch.