We are incredibly sorry to hear the news that Henley Swim has stopped trading and that their events this year will not go ahead. Since we were the official charity partner for Henley Swim Festival in 2022, The Rivers Trust has attended the event every year and we were due to attend again in July 2025. We have also worked year-round with their team to advocate for increased environmental awareness and safe river swimming.

The fact that publicity around poor water quality in the Thames has led to the closure of Henley Swim shows that there is much more to do both to address river pollution and to help the public make informed decisions about swimming. Despite the immense challenges our rivers are facing, The Rivers Trust firmly believes that safe river swimming is possible in the UK, but swimmers must be aware of the risks and take necessary precautions when doing so.

Swimming in rivers makes people more likely to support environmental causes, and the outdoor swimming community has become a vital voice for rivers in recent years. Today we are thinking of those swimmers who have lost the opportunity to participate in iconic mass participation swimming events, as well as the dedicated organising team at Henley Swim who we have enjoyed working with.

We will continue to fight for our vision of wild, healthy, natural rivers that can be enjoyed by swimmers and river users alike.

Mark Lloyd, Chief Executive