Swim England were represented as water sports turned up in full force at the Albert Embankment in London on Sunday to join the Clean Water March, a peaceful event which called for clean, healthy and abundant water for all.
At least 15,000 people from across the UK joined the March, which began by the Thames in Vauxhall and finished with a rally in Parliament Square.
The March, coordinated by River Action, was supported by the Clean Water Sports Alliance, collectively representing 450,000 members across a range of water-based sports from grassroots right up to the highest-achieving athletes at the Olympics and Paralympics.
The rally in Parliament Square featured a range of speakers, including naturalist Chris Packham.
Aquatic-based sports were represented by Olympic rowing champion Dr Imogen Grant, who took to the stage to emphasise the vital role sportspeople play in the protection of our most precious natural resource.
Philip Brownlie, head of public affairs at Swim England, said: “It was fantastic to see so many people who care about the health of our rivers, lakes and blue spaces making their feelings known on the march and showing the strength of feeling on this issue in communities right across the country.
“Swim England are committed to continuing to campaign to protect our blue spaces and improve the health of our waterways.”
Dr Grant added: “Rowers, runners, anglers, surfers, swimmers, paddlers – every single one of us benefits from the rivers that are foundations of our community. This march is the start of a new momentum – we need to call on this government to do better, and that starts today.”
The Clean Water Sports Alliance are advocating for the restoration of our blue spaces for the enjoyment of all.
The Alliance want these environments to be free of pollution and havens for wildlife and are working together to drive positive change, improve water quality and the health of blue spaces for all.