Free cold water dips and water safety workshops are returning to Southend this summer, with sessions running from late July through August. SAVS, Southend’s Council for Voluntary Service, has organised the programme in partnership with Blue Therapy Active, drawing funding from the Active Thames Partnership as part of the wider Southend Active-on-Thames programme.
Four cold water dip sessions begin on Sunday 19 July at 4pm, then continue on Sunday 2 August at 3pm, Sunday 16 August at 3pm, and Sunday 23 August at 9.30am. Two dedicated water safety workshops run on Sunday 19 July at 3pm and Sunday 16 August at 2pm, immediately before the dip sessions on those dates. No experience is needed, and safety tow floats are loaned free of charge.
Blue Therapy Active instructors Del and Sarah, trained in first aid and mental health, lead the sessions. More than 150 residents have attended cold water therapy sessions through Active Southend-on-Thames since 2024, a programme that has continued to expand each year. Participants from previous years formed their own swim groups outside the organised sessions, and organisers report that the activities have helped reduce social isolation.
The programme coincides with warnings from the RNLI about cold water shock, which remains a danger even in summer. Ross Macleod, RNLI Water Safety Manager, said the sea “remains cold enough year-round to trigger cold water shock,” making supervised sessions particularly valuable as temperatures rise.
All sessions are free but places must be booked in advance through an online form.
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