Cow Tower Dippers eye River Wensum bathing status in Norwich

The Cow Tower Dippers have met for a swim in the Wensum every Saturday since January 2022 at a stretch of the river by the historic building.

Now, more than 100 members of the swimming community have got together as they work to get Designated Bathing Water Status - a title only held by a handful of seaside locations in Norfolk, including Cromer, Sea Palling and Wells.

129 people jumped in the river on June 15 for a swim (Image: Samantha Wood)

"Our mission has two parts really," said Cow Tower Dippers member Samantha Wood.

"Firstly, to submit an application, and hopefully obtain Designated Bathing Water Status for the stretch of the Wensum at Cow Tower. 

"The second part is to raise awareness of the benefits of open water swimming and advocate for clean, safe waters for swimmers and other river users alike.

"So many people walking along the riverside engage with us, asking if the water is "safe" or "clean".

"Right now, we can't honestly say that it is."

People travelled from far and wide to support the Cow Tower Dippers (Image: Samantha Wood)

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) announced 27 new bathing sites in May 2024 but none were in Norfolk.

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The founder of the Cow Tower Dippers, Peter Smith, decided to look into the rules surrounding the status - one of which was to have more than 100 swimmers take the dip on two separate dates.

People travelled from all over the county for the dip (Image: Samantha Wood)

"At the first meet-up on June 15, 129 people took a dip to show their support," said Peter.

"It made me realise how much people value the environment.

"We had people come from Cambridge, North Walsham, Yarmouth and other seaside towns.

"This was not a protest - far from it - it was just ordinary people joining together to do what they love doing to register a need for better water quality and accountability."

It's not just a title that the swimmers are after.

Norfolk Paddle Boards also use the stretch of the river (Image: Newsquest)

If the Wensum at Cow Tower becomes a designated bathing site, the Environment Agency will regularly monitor the water quality and assess whether action is needed to cut pollution levels.

Last autumn, sewage was pumped into the river during heavy rainfall by Anglian Water.

The Sea Scouts, Norfolk Paddle Boards, Pub and Paddle, and the Canoe Man all use this stretch of water. 

"Getting Designated Bathing Status will not solve the pollution problems, but it does hold people accountable," said Peter.

The second dip will be this Saturday with more than 100 people needed to jump in the river for the Dippers to proceed with their application.