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NEWS Volunteer Lifeguards (free training provided) want for Rutland Water Summer 2012 Anglian Water Services Limited are looking for volunteers to train as beach life guards to maintain life guard cover at the proposed bathing beach on the shores of Rutland Water, near Oakham, Rutland, East Midlands. They aim to set up a dedicated group for the bathing beach which will also provide an opportunity for volunteers to help administer this group. RALSA fully support this plan to establish open water swimming at Rutland Water. Please contact Robert Aspey at robert.aspey@derby.gov.uk for further details. New Farleigh & District Swimming Club Website Find out more here. ROSPA changes it tune on Wild Swimming See  comments from ROSPA's CEO. Also see  comments by ROSPA in Sky article. We have updated our comments on ROSPA's attitude to open water swimming accordingly. Let us know if local ROSPA representatives are still pushing the No Swimming Allowed line. New book on the history of swimming in the UK Susie Parr, RALSA supporter and open water enthusiast, has just published the book The Story of Swimming It covers the history of swimming in the UK from earliest recorded times (Romans onward) to the current revival in open water swimming. It is full of wonderful illustrations and includes a number of short pieces about Susie's favourite swimming places. I'm sure many RALSA members will recognise how Susie feels about swimming in open water.Put this on your Xmas present list! Read review by Jean Perraton. New Wild Swimming map of the UK OSS (Outdoor Swimming Society) has put together a very informative  Wild Swimming map of the UK. Well worth a browse. Well done OSS! . New European Swimming Directory Website Niek Kloots has set up a directory of European Swimming organisations. It includes open water swimming organisation. There is a huge amount of information about swimming events and places to swim across Europe. Great site. Thanks to Niek for setting this up. . Wild Swimming: Freshwater Biodiversity matters Read this interesting blog "Wild Swimming: Freshwater Biodiversity matters" about the new EU Bathing Water Directive and how cleaning up our lakes and rivers is not only important for wild swimming but also freshwater biodiversity. New Open Water Swimming Safety Video Watch Callum Brown’s wonderful and essential video on 0pen Water Swimming Safety here. Rob Fryer’s Wild Swimming Guide 2011 Rob’s new wild swimming guide is now available. Find out more here. EVENTS Find details of open water events in 2011 here. Open Water Charity Swims in Yorkshire Raise money for charity while enjoying an open water swim in Yorkshire. Further details here: Jane Tomlinson Yorkshire Swimming Festival 2011. . Win the chance to swim the Irish sea Raise money for Cancer Research UK and get the chance to swim the Irish See. Further details here: The Swim Website. . HEALTH & SAFETY Look, everyone is out of step except our Johnny! There is now little doubt that the attitude of some UK organisation towards swimming in natural water, inland water in particular, is not only unique - it looks increasingly irrational and obsessive. Take, for example the following extract from the official website of the Yosemite National Park in the States The dangers in the water • lies, damn lies and statistics 'For water safety advice talk to the cool people in swimsuits not to the wet people in grey suits' Pete Roberts Have you ever been bewildered by quoted UK drowning statistics? Warned of catching Weil's disease or of the threat posed by poisonous algae? Read more.. to discover how the health and safety merchants manipulate the media. The verdict is unanimous • the H&S Bonkers must be stopped Judges, politicians, those at the helm of the Health and Safety watchdogs, a writer and a scientist (to mention just a few) have voiced their concern over the proliferation of irrational restrictions on recreational activities which has plagued our society in recent years. So who are the Health and Safety Bonkers? Read more.. LEGAL & REGULATION Extracts from the judgement in the Tomlinson v Congleton BC HSE clarifies scope of 'Blue Book' Heath ponds court victory Environment Agency clarifies its attitude to swimming RIVER & LAKE CAMPAIGNS Black Park  Read more.. Broomhill Lido  Read more.. Is the tide turning at Rutland Water? Read more.. EU Bathing Water Directive update. Read more.. More support for the river access campaign Song of The Paddle, is an open canoe forum that is fighting for reasonable access to our rivers. The forum is a hub for river access campaigners. You can help by writing to your MP and voting for the river access campaign on the 38 degrees website. Bury Lake Following the latest legal clarifications of operators liabilities regarding swimming in open water there is no longer a justification for keeping traditional inland water bathing sites, such as at Bury Lake, Rickmansworth closed to the public. Read more.. Brereton Heath Want to know why swimming is still banned in the lake which was at the centre of the Tomlinson case? Read more.. The Pooling Resources Group The Pooling Resources Group has been set up to help people campaigning for their local pools RALSA is an association of clubs & individuals representing wild swimmers. Membership is free and we make no demands. Whether you are a competitive, all year round or recreational summer swimmer, please join us to show your support [Click here]

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