Glad to see dock swimming is still going strong - Liverpool used to have a very popular sprint-distance triathlon event - Tri Liverpool - which has sadly disappeared. It was my first (and second) triathlon, and I even managed to encourage/bully my mum to take part. The swim was in Wapping Docks, the bike was not scenic (up the road to Bootle then back to Upper Parliament Street) but it was (mostly) flat and fast. I remember having to borrow my mum's friend's bike for one of them because my own broke the day before - she never told me it had a basket and tassels attached!
We sadly lost the event when the British Champs moved to Leeds, but there was no reason another provider couldn't have stepped in - but when you look at the disappearance of the Rock n Roll marathon and the issues BTR have had with Liverpool City Council you have to ask why the council discourages mass-participation sports which would bring loads of people to the city centre.
Or indeed why they've been discouraging any healthy positive activity that encourages local people to aspire, look forward to things and have reason to look after themselves. Things that bring the wrong kind of person into the city, that the locals might mix with, and get ideas above their station.
There is an interesting study published recently looking at the impact of Russian propaganda and associated priorities: TLDR it concludes a long term, strategic aim to turn people off thinking, and particularly to instill a sense of inferiority in citizens in the poorer regions to the extent they can be easily manipulated at will, to shore up power and certainly present no problem to those in charge (no matter how bad things get).
Even if the parallels haven't been deliberately crafted (but who knows, given how well resourced organised crime is), the local government hasn't exactly been rushing to disrupt them.
Lovely article. Also liked the photos - made Princes Dock seem like a destination after all these years of slow development down there. Maybe they should hold some sort of watersports event in the dock?
Enjoyable piece Abi, you are braver than me. I’ve often seen the swimmers as I float past on a charity barge I volunteer on and shiver for them when it’s a cold day. As much as I envy their dedication it’s not for me. I understand the positive benefits of open swimming. However, I’d much rather do it in fresh water not slightly salty and mixed with heaven knows what.
We go often to Queens Dock, had no idea there's a swimming club further up! (Am pretty new here in my defence.) Can dogs jump in too? I do hope so. Swimming with him is the sweetest joy, and its such great exercise for us both.
Great article, Have to say Princes Dock doesn't look too much different to when I worked there over 15 years ago, although I did get told by a former work colleague, a good few years ago that there had been some additions since I was ever last there, it was really bleak, just a few offices at the far end and a Cafe and that was it, the only other boonus about being sited there, was that it was great to get photos of any visiting ships.
As regards the open swimming, I'll leave that to Saner(?) souls than me, and that includes you Abi :-) have the perfect excuse at the moment anyway, my knees wouldn't cope :-D
You never know, stranger things have happened! Although I'm not totally sure you (or any of the other competitors) are really ready for my ample torso to be displayed to all and sundry :-D lol Have to think of people's well being!
well done love walking around the princess dock area one of my favorite places in town watched the swimmers plenty of times maybe one day i will have a crack at it love the salt water
Glad to see dock swimming is still going strong - Liverpool used to have a very popular sprint-distance triathlon event - Tri Liverpool - which has sadly disappeared. It was my first (and second) triathlon, and I even managed to encourage/bully my mum to take part. The swim was in Wapping Docks, the bike was not scenic (up the road to Bootle then back to Upper Parliament Street) but it was (mostly) flat and fast. I remember having to borrow my mum's friend's bike for one of them because my own broke the day before - she never told me it had a basket and tassels attached!
We sadly lost the event when the British Champs moved to Leeds, but there was no reason another provider couldn't have stepped in - but when you look at the disappearance of the Rock n Roll marathon and the issues BTR have had with Liverpool City Council you have to ask why the council discourages mass-participation sports which would bring loads of people to the city centre.
Or indeed why they've been discouraging any healthy positive activity that encourages local people to aspire, look forward to things and have reason to look after themselves. Things that bring the wrong kind of person into the city, that the locals might mix with, and get ideas above their station.
There is an interesting study published recently looking at the impact of Russian propaganda and associated priorities: TLDR it concludes a long term, strategic aim to turn people off thinking, and particularly to instill a sense of inferiority in citizens in the poorer regions to the extent they can be easily manipulated at will, to shore up power and certainly present no problem to those in charge (no matter how bad things get).
Even if the parallels haven't been deliberately crafted (but who knows, given how well resourced organised crime is), the local government hasn't exactly been rushing to disrupt them.
Lovely article. Also liked the photos - made Princes Dock seem like a destination after all these years of slow development down there. Maybe they should hold some sort of watersports event in the dock?
Enjoyable piece Abi, you are braver than me. I’ve often seen the swimmers as I float past on a charity barge I volunteer on and shiver for them when it’s a cold day. As much as I envy their dedication it’s not for me. I understand the positive benefits of open swimming. However, I’d much rather do it in fresh water not slightly salty and mixed with heaven knows what.
Fabulous article. I'd so love to have the nerve to do that. Too old now I think :)
Never too old! Give it a shot.
We go often to Queens Dock, had no idea there's a swimming club further up! (Am pretty new here in my defence.) Can dogs jump in too? I do hope so. Swimming with him is the sweetest joy, and its such great exercise for us both.
I’ll ask about dogs for you the next time I go! Was planning on heading down tonight but the weather put me off this time...
I might take a dip next week.
I might see you there Gerry!
Great article, Have to say Princes Dock doesn't look too much different to when I worked there over 15 years ago, although I did get told by a former work colleague, a good few years ago that there had been some additions since I was ever last there, it was really bleak, just a few offices at the far end and a Cafe and that was it, the only other boonus about being sited there, was that it was great to get photos of any visiting ships.
As regards the open swimming, I'll leave that to Saner(?) souls than me, and that includes you Abi :-) have the perfect excuse at the moment anyway, my knees wouldn't cope :-D
Thank you Baz! Maybe one day I'll see you down there for a paddle!
You never know, stranger things have happened! Although I'm not totally sure you (or any of the other competitors) are really ready for my ample torso to be displayed to all and sundry :-D lol Have to think of people's well being!
Well done Abi, and nice article.
Thanks!
well done love walking around the princess dock area one of my favorite places in town watched the swimmers plenty of times maybe one day i will have a crack at it love the salt water
Definitely worth giving it a go! So much fun
I thought the same until I gave it a try Paul! While the cold water isn't the nicest at first, you feel so amazing afterwards.