Londoners take to the Thames to escape the heat ++REPLAY++

Hinzugefügt: 2026-06-03

[00:00:00]And then off you go.

[00:00:18]Hey, how are you coming in this year?

[00:00:29]And then I like that. I bet it's over 20.

[00:00:32]22. I'm guessing 22 something like that.

[00:00:36]>> It's really beautiful when you're in actually.

[00:00:52]>> 21.3 We I've been doing it for I've been living here for 25 years. So, I've been in and out of the water most of that time. But during the pandemic more and more people kept coming and we we formed a group of people as soon as we were allowed to to be a bit more social. We're getting in the water down here, sometimes swimming up as far as Kingston. And then there was another group coming here and you know, some people are doing long distance swims, some people are just getting in and floating around and enjoying the water.

[00:01:23]Okay.

[00:01:25]In the water?

[00:01:41]They they tell you exactly what you need to do.

[00:01:43]So, we followed it exactly what they asked for. We sent it in.

[00:01:47]Uh we waited nervously for about 4 months. We we found out we made it to the short list. Then it goes out to public consultation. We had I I over 1,000 responses to that public consultation, almost all supportive.

[00:02:00]Uh and so it was approved, which is amazing.

[00:02:03]>> Bit more equipment.

[00:02:04]Um I just stand like that.

[00:02:08]Around there.

[00:02:09]>> It's just on the floor.

[00:02:12]>> Well, I'm glad you got >> It's very good.

[00:02:15]>> I I think I'm going to do this in July.

[00:02:19]>> Yes, it is.

[00:02:22]>> What we hope is that one, it draws attention to this magnificent resource that we've got and the the number of people using it and that puts pressure on polluters to try to reduce the amount of pollution so that, you know, people can enjoy it safely. That that is what we hope will happen anyway.

[00:02:56]>> And on a hot day like today in London, it's like 35°. It's our hottest May day for a century or ever, I think. So, um yeah, it's just really refreshing and cooling and you know, as the weather gets better in London, you know, and they're cleaning up the Thames, it's just a great place to come.

[00:03:17]>> So, you can stand up off your waist anyway.

[00:03:21]>> Oh.

[00:03:36]>> There's a bit of a chill to it, but it's refreshing. Like I say, on a day like today, absolutely ideal. It's perfect.

[00:03:42]Couldn't ask for anything more.

[00:03:43]Jump in.

[00:03:44]>> [laughter] >> I like it.

[00:03:55]>> doing, sir?

[00:04:01]>> Get in.

[00:04:15]>> It was wonderful. I mean, it was a little chilly at first, but when you're in once you're in the water, it's beautiful. And the water is surprisingly clean, and you feel um very relaxing. It's very calm. And uh yeah, it was wonderful. It felt really freeing, actually, to be in the river.

[00:04:32]>> I know.

[00:04:33]>> Yeah, I should have mentioned this in the interview. My productivity, like there is there is no limit if I if I if I swim in the morning.

[00:04:41]Absolutely.

[00:04:53]>> It's to be honest, it's quite unbearable to be anywhere indoors, so any cool kind of temperature is absolutely Yeah, it's hugely desirable. So, yeah, no, it's absolute blast to have this asset on kind of our doorstep and to be able to jump in the river and spend time uh um outdoors in the nature. So, I think it's just really kind of a lot more people should be doing it.

[00:05:21]>> Tommy, you're actually missing out big time if you don't get in. You're going to regret it for the rest of the year.

[00:05:27]>> Where is he?

[00:05:29]>> That's what I said.

[00:05:30]>> He's He's really tempted. He just needs a little more pushing. [laughter] >> Um I mean, it's such an iconic, famous river, and you know, it's a you've you swimming in one of the most famous rivers in the in the world. Uh that's that's always quite special.

[00:05:44]>> No matter how much turned you gray.

[00:05:48]>> Ready?

[00:05:50]Go.

[00:06:06]>> I'm in.

[00:06:06]>> I'm ready.

[00:06:07]Come on, stand clear.

[00:06:10]>> Yeah, it's as easy as you can let go.

[00:06:12]>> Come on.

[00:06:13]That way, that way.