Sussex Kelp Recovery Project (SKRP) is supporting The Big Swim 2025 

The Big Swim 2025 will take place in Brighton (& Dorset) on Saturday 8th March 2025 and is calling for 1,000 swimmers to take part in this extraordinary event. Join us in creating the South Coast’s largest wild swimming gathering, celebrating International Women’s Day alongside a vibrant and supportive community.

There is something magical about the sea—the way it connects us to ourselves, to nature and to each other. Wild swimming has become a sanctuary for many, a place where we feel alive, free, and part of a larger community and environment.

SKRP are supporting The Big Swim 2025 because it encourages people to ‘dive in’ - breaking down the disconnection with our underwater world and generating a passion for the protection of our seas. It champions local communities’ participation in the preservation of their local patch of ocean and the wildlife living within it.

How our project is helping the Sussex seas 

Did you know, only 4% of our kelp forests remain in Sussex waters – the impacts of trawling destroyed our marine ecosystems, until they were given protection from the Nearshore Trawling Byelaw in 2021. Since then, SKRP has been working to recover and rewild our coastline. The project has a huge program of monitoring and research, which is contributing to an understanding of how our seabed recovers from the trauma of its past and develops a resilience to the threats of its present. 

Kelp forests are one of the most biodiverse habitats in the world, creating nursing and feeding grounds for marine species from the brown crab to the short-snouted seahorse, and from the black sea bream to the grey seal. One kelp can support up to 80,000 individual organisms!  As a result, kelp supports local sustainable fishermen and provides magnificent sites for divers and snorkellers. Not only that, but kelp beds also provide a natural coastal defence, protecting our shores from wave action and storm surges. 

A Celebration of Women 

International Women’s Day is a moment to pause, reflect, and champion women from all backgrounds and locations. The Big Swim embodies that spirit by inviting people - women, families, friends, and even long-lost cousins - to come together in a vibrant display of solidarity. 

This year’s theme, #AccelerateAction, reminds us that the fight for gender equity requires everyone’s efforts and contributions. By swimming, dipping, or even cheering from the sidelines, we’re showing support for women worldwide in a way that’s both meaningful and joyful. There is no place for ego at the water’s edge, and there is no greater leveller than the sea. 

Join us and be part of the magic!

SKRP will be at The Big Swim, Saturday 8th March 2025 (meet time 11.30am) Sea Lanes, Madeira Drive, Brighton, soaking up the atmosphere, cheering on swimmers, and maybe even braving the chilly waves ourselves.  

Whether you’re a seasoned swimmer, a curious newbie, or someone who would like to know more about the project and how you can get involved, we’d love to see you there.  

Book Your Spot: Tickets are live and they sell out fast!  

Get Social: Follow us @sussexkelp (Instagram, LinkedIn and Blue Sky) and invite your friends! 

Here’s a short film of the event last year: The Big Swim 2024 

Let’s come together to make The Big Swim 2025 a day to remember—a day of laughter, support, and empowerment!

Making Waves for a Cause 

This event proudly supports Surfers Against Sewage, a charity dedicated to protecting our oceans from pollution and fighting for a sustainable future.