What if you could dip, bob, swim, kayak, paddleboard in the sea all year round?

How would you feel?

“I love this idea. Having lived in Australia where sea pools are common I can see they are a big community asset. “

“Somewhere safe to swim in the winter or rough conditions, free to use and accessible for all increases beach/water safety on the IOW”

Public Comments from ” Isle of Wight Sea Swimming Survey 2023”

One October evening just over 2 years ago, after a conversation with a friend who I knew swam all year round, I took the plunge into a very icy sea. Not really knowing what to expect I walked into the water with all the strange noises and yelps you would expect from someone standing in cold water wearing nothing but a pair of swimming shorts. After much huffing and puffing I managed to get my shoulders under the water. Did I swim? Nope. My arms immediately gained the strength of wet spaghetti, so I just walked a little bit. After a few minutes I had enough so got out. Cold, wet and desperately trying to get dressed and warm, I suddenly had a feeling of OH WOW! THAT WAS AMAZING! Laughing at how hard it was to get dried and dressed took my mind off how cold I was feeling, but the feeling of euphoria was like nothing I had experienced before. My level of anxiety has reduced and I'm more able to manage the stressors of life. Needless to say, I now regularly dip in the sea at the weekends and whenever I can during the week.

I have been inspired to raise money for the Isle of Wight Tidal Sea Pool project as I've seen and felt the effects that swimming in the sea has on those who have access. With the opportunity of developing the sea pool as part of the sea defences, it will help everyone to access the benefits of swimming in the sea.

On the 6th of April I'll be running the ABP Southampton Marathon.

We need your support to transform our plans into reality to create a sea pool that could be built into the sea defences at Yaverland in Sandown Bay, on the east coast of the Isle of Wight. It would be the first new tidal pool to be built in the UK for almost a century.

Two pool areas would be created within a compartment of the sea defences. on the beach at Yaverland to provide a safe, accessible and enjoyable sea swim location all year round. We want to have an Olympic sized pool, 50 meters wide big enough for lane swimming and events like triathlons and a smaller, shallower, beginners pool backed by a marine lab with rock pools at its seaward end.

Naturally filled from the sea, but protected from the waves, these pools would provide the perfect swim spot for young children paddling through to hardy swimmers training for events. It will become a community hub for all those who love the sea.

Inspired, funded and run by the community, our pool would be an extraordinary GO TO salt water swimming, training, leisure, water sports, events, marine education & nature discovery destination / public amenity

Sheltered from waves & currents

Refreshed by the tide

Designed to protect & enhance the coastline

Enhanced with habitats for marine life

Fully Accessible

Family friendly

Free & open all year round

A blue space enriching our connection to the natural environment

Our next step is to complete the environmental and engineering studies to demonstrate our proposed design will stand the test of time, integrate sustainably with the sea defences & support the marine environment.

We need to raise £50,000 to undertake the next phrase of design work, and the range of professional studies that are required for planning and various environmental consents.

Please support my marathon run by giving a donation to help fund the design and technical studies needed for the next crucial phase of the pools’ development.

Your generosity will make a huge difference. Thank you