'It’s hard to believe, but it’s exactly five years since the inaugural Naturist swim took place at the Wigton Pool, Cumbria' says Ron O'Hare.
As soon as the trial monthly swims were agreed following a suggestion from me to the pool that they consider hosting costume-free swims, BN sent out several press releases to the Cumbria newspaper editors and radio stations and in a very short time, I found myself talking about this new venture to several journalists and radio presenters throughout Cumbria. Lift off time had arrived!
Soon afterwards - a journalist from ‘Newsquest’ working for the Carlisle based newspaper, the ‘Cumbrian evening star’ was asking for an interview outside the baths, so I suggested that he joined us in the pool to talk to other Naturists – Roger obliged and a full page report in the newspaper followed. We counted 53 swimmers at that event - with incredible support from North West BN members.
The success led the management of the pool to realise they were missing a trick (and potential revenue) and decided to run the swim themselves. Result! One of the main aims of the Great British Skinny Dip is to grow the number of venues - and brilliant if we don't have to hire them ourselves.
Reduced attendances this Summer, owing to the swim coinciding with other summer events in the area, almost resulted In a cut in the swim duration from two hours to one, but after a short chat with the Manager, ninety minutes was agreed upon, with a marginally increased price to keep the event alive. This has been successful with 30 swimmers attending the October swim – now an official monthly GBSD event and listed on the new Great British Skinny Dip website.
If you know of any venues that could be the Wigton of the future - they don’t have to be in the North West region! We are all constantly seeking to expand.
Swim at Wigton today! Find details here
Ron O’Hare (NW Chair/Coordinator/PRO).