The Freedom to Swim Begins with Trust

There is something wonderfully uncomplicated about standing beside a Welsh river or looking out across the sea. The sound of moving water, the freshness of the air and the prospect of a swim can remind us how little we sometimes need to feel genuinely content. Yet behind that simple pleasure lies something we should never take for granted: the confidence that the water we are entering is safe.

Today, 8 October, a public meeting in Swansea is bringing together residents, environmental experts and campaigners to discuss the condition of the city’s rivers and coastal waters.

Organised by Swansea West MP Torsten Bell, Turning the Tides follows concerns about pollution in the River Tawe and reports of people becoming unwell after swimming. It is an important conversation, not simply about environmental protection, but about the relationship between communities and the places they call home.

Wales has much to celebrate when it comes to its bathing waters. According to the latest published annual classifications, 110 of the country’s 112 designated bathing waters met the required standards in 2025, with 78 achieving the highest classification of excellent.

These are encouraging figures, reflecting the work undertaken to monitor and protect our coastline. However, they also remind us that the condition of individual rivers and beaches can vary considerably, and that a favourable annual classification cannot guarantee water quality on every occasion.

For those of us who enjoy naturism, the connection is particularly meaningful.

Swimming has long been one of the most accessible and enjoyable expressions of naturist living. There is something quite liberating about entering the water without the restrictions of clothing, feeling its movement against the skin and experiencing the natural environment without unnecessary barriers.

Yet whether somebody chooses to swim in a costume or without one, the water makes no distinction. We share the same rivers, beaches and responsibilities.

I often think that our relationship with the natural environment tells us something important about how we understand freedom.

We rightly value the opportunity to enjoy our countryside and coastline, but genuine freedom depends upon conditions that allow people to exercise it safely. Access means relatively little if people cannot trust the environment they are entering.

This is why the conversation taking place in Swansea deserves attention beyond the city itself. It raises questions about environmental responsibility, public confidence and the importance of listening to those who use and care for our waterways.

There is also a positive development worth recognising. Wales now has 114 designated bathing waters, monitored by Natural Resources Wales. The national monitoring season was extended in 2026 to run from 1 May until 30 September, recognising that people increasingly enjoy outdoor swimming beyond the traditional summer months. It is a practical acknowledgement that our relationship with water does not begin and end with the school holidays.

As autumn settles across Wales, the beaches become quieter and the rivers take on a different character. For some, swimming will give way to walking, while others will continue enjoying the water throughout the colder months. Whatever our preference, we all have an interest in protecting these remarkable places.

At Naturism Wales, we encourage people to experience the natural world responsibly and considerately. That responsibility extends beyond our own behaviour to supporting the wider communities working to protect the places we enjoy. Clean water is not exclusively a concern for swimmers, environmentalists or naturists. It matters to families, farmers, businesses, wildlife and everyone whose life is connected to the Welsh landscape.

Perhaps the greatest achievement would be a future in which people approach our rivers and beaches without wondering whether entering the water might put their health at risk.

What could we achieve if everyone who enjoys the natural beauty of Wales felt a shared responsibility for protecting it?