How to Spend Your Summer if You Love Swimming, Adventure and the Ocean
Summer is the perfect time to reconnect with the sea. The Big Swim Collective exists to show that there are lots of different ways to become an ocean advocate. You don’t need to be a scientist, campaigner or elite swimmer—you simply need to start. Every documentary you watch, every beach you explore, every conversation you have and every piece of litter you pick up helps build a stronger connection with the ocean.
Once you start learning about the ocean, it’s hard to stop. One story leads to another, one swim leads to another, and before long you’ll find yourself seeing the coast in a completely different way.
Here are some of the things I’m doing this summer, along with ideas you might like to try too.
Visiting the David Attenborough: Our Story exhibition.
Watching The Big Swim at the Frontier Sapiens Adventure Film Festival.
Picking up litter whenever I see it on a walk.
Reading Sea Change: A message of the Oceans by Silvia A. Earle
Reading this article from Marine Conservation Society – Positive News in July – I like the feature on the baby puffin in Dorset.
Book a trip with the Sussex Dolphin Project
Plus, I am collecting the next seven stories for The Big Swim Collective and turning them into a book for The Big Swim 2027.
Here are a few ideas for you:
The Big Swim Hits the Big Screen – TIME SENSITIVE BOOK NOW
Book Your Ticket for the Frontier Sapiens Adventure Film Festival – Festival runs until 6 November.
This summer, The Big Swim will be shown on the big screen before an evening of inspiring adventure films.
You’ll see hundreds of women celebrating International Women’s Day and supporting cleaner water through Surfers Against Sewage.
I’m especially looking forward to watching Old Ladies Against Underwater Garbage. I think that one will be right up our street!
Poole: Thursday 6 August 2026
Brighton: Saturday 8 August 2026
Swim
Pick an Open Water Swim Event and Start Training. Having an event in the diary is a great motivator. Whether you choose a one-mile swim or a longer challenge, I always need a goal to keep me on track.
1 Chillswim Ullswater End to End 5 September 2026
2 Dart10k 12 September 2026
3 Swim Serpentine 19 September 2026
4 Dock2Dock 12 September 2026
Watch
Ocean with David Attenborough
I think everyone should watch this documentary. While our planet’s future can sometimes feel bleak, it also shows that nature can recover when we give it the chance. Best of all, it leaves you with a feeling of hope.
Seaspiracy
This is a challenging watch in places. It explores complex issues including industrial fishing, greenwashing, slavery at sea and destructive fishing subsidies. It’s difficult viewing but will certainly make you think. I have watched this several times as there is so much to take in.
Visit
Visit the David Attenborough: Our Story Exhibition
I am really looking forward to this. Book your tickets, as it finishes this summer.
Learn
Listen to a Sylvia Earle Podcast
Few people have inspired more people to care about the ocean than legendary marine biologist Sylvia Earle, her nickname is Her Deepness.
Read One Story from The Big Swim Collective
Meet women creating positive change through swimming, science, accessibility, wellbeing and ocean advocacy.
Mission Blue’s Hope Spots are special places around the world identified as critical to the health of our oceans. They’re places worth celebrating and protecting.
Take Action
Join a Local Beach Clean
Spend an hour giving something back to the places you love.
Sign the Surfers Against Sewage Dirty Business Petition
Help campaign for cleaner rivers, lakes and seas.
Pick Up Litter Whenever You’re Out Walking
It only takes a few seconds but makes a real difference.
Be Aware of the Power of Your Pound
Every purchase is a vote for the kind of world you want to live in. The products we buy influence how companies behave, so small everyday choices can help reduce plastic pollution and protect our oceans. I know this seems small, but change has to start somewhere.
Whenever you can:
• Carry a reusable water bottle instead of buying bottled water.
• Choose loose fruit and vegetables or products with less plastic packaging.
• Buy reusable items instead of single-use plastics.
• Take a reusable coffee cup and shopping bag with you.
• Support businesses and brands that are actively reducing their environmental impact.
• Read the latest Surfers Against Sewage Brand Audit to see which brands’ packaging is most commonly found on UK beaches.
Share
Invite a Friend for a Sunrise or Sunset swim, you can’t beat a swim with your bestie as the sun comes up! It will make your heart sing.
I hope you love my list, pick what you can and start to learn more about our blue spaces and see the little steps you can take along the way.
I am off for a swim and cook bacon sarnies for my boys.