Canary Wharf launches first open water swimming venue.
(Picture: Handout)Sweltering office workers and residents at Canary Wharf will be able to cool off in a former dock after it was turned into a new open water swimming venue.
The 220-year-old Middle Dock, where dozens of ships were once loaded with exports, will have 600sq m of open water to swim in set against the backdrop of the One Canada Square and Newfoundland apartment block skyscrapers.
It will be open daily until the end of September and overseen by lifeguards.
The initiative has launched in partnership with the Canal & River Trust, swimming operator Love Open Water and NOWCA, the UK’s largest network of safe open water venues.
Canary Wharf CEO Shobi Khan said: “Canary Wharf has more than 20 acres of parks, gardens and squares and a key objective is to open up the water for our residents, visitors and business customers.”
Rick Kiddle, Founder and CEO of NOWCA said: “Our aim is to help make open water more accessible, to more people, and most importantly more safely. We support over 40 venues nationwide with our safety systems and we have worked with Love Open Water for a decade now.
“We are really excited to be part of this fantastic new venue at Canary Wharf as it will open more swimming possibilities in the East London area.”
Ros Daniels, Canal & River Trust Regional Director for London & South East said: “We are pleased to be working in partnership with Canary Wharf Group to licence an area of London Docklands where people can experience wild swimming safely under the supervision of lifeguards and where the water quality will be routinely tested.”
