Thames Swim Against Sewage – elite swimmers relay 240km for cleaner waters

A powerful new documentary follows eight elite swimmers on an epic 240km relay down the River Thames, shining a spotlight on the devastating impact of sewage pollution in UK waterways.

The film, created by Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) and Artists Project Earth, documents the Thames Swim Against Sewage, a non-stop three-day challenge that saw world-class and Olympic swimmers from across the UK attempt to swim from the upper reaches of the Thames to Westminster.

At Red Equipment, we believe everyone should be able to enjoy the water safely, whether that’s surfing, swimming, paddleboarding or simply spending time at the shore with family and friends. That’s why we’re proud to support initiatives raising awareness of the urgent need to protect our rivers, lakes and coastlines.

A Swim with Purpose

Beginning at Lechlade in Gloucestershire on 1st September, the relay team swam day and night along a 240km route through Oxford, Reading and Marlow before reaching Teddington Lock 71 hours later. From there, they joined a flotilla of kayaks, boats and supporters for the final stretch to Westminster as Parliament returned from summer recess.

But this challenge was about far more than endurance.

Organised by Surfers Against Sewage, the swim aimed to expose the scale of the UK’s ongoing sewage crisis – and the reality became impossible to ignore when swimmers were forced to exit the river at multiple points due to dangerous water quality levels.

The Human Impact of Polluted Water

Elite GB ultramarathon swimmer Amber Keegan became ill after the relay, with symptoms believed to be linked to sewage exposure, despite extensive safety precautions and live water quality testing throughout the challenge.

Her experience reflects a growing issue affecting thousands of water users across the UK every year.

According to SAS data:

• Sewage was dumped 1,118 times into designated bathing waters in England and Wales during July and August 2025 alone.
• In 2024, there were 464,056 recorded sewage discharges across the UK, with the real figure potentially much higher due to incomplete monitoring.
• More than 1,800 people reported sickness to Surfers Against Sewage after using UK waters in 2024.

Speaking after the swim, Amber said: “What shocked me most wasn’t the distance or the fatigue, it was the state of the water. Some points along the Thames were absolutely disgusting.” She added: “Safe access to the water gives people amazing mental and physical health benefits, and we shouldn’t have to worry about getting sick.”

Why This Matters

For many of us, water is where we reset, reconnect and challenge ourselves. It’s central to our wellbeing and our communities. But increasingly, people are having to think twice before entering rivers and seas they’ve loved for years.

The Thames Swim Against Sewage was a stark reminder that access to clean water should never be considered a luxury.

At Red Equipment, we stand with the communities, campaigners and athletes calling for urgent action to improve water quality across the UK. Supporting safe adventure and time outdoors means supporting the environments that make those experiences possible.

How Red Helped

When we heard SAS needed support to complete the challenge, we knew our kit could help – so we provided EVO Pro Changing Robes and Insulated Drinkware for the whole team. We’ll let Surfers Against Sewage’s partnerships officer Tabitha McCormick explain more, in this post shared on LinkedIn:

This morning, a feedback questionnaire asked me if Gift in Kind product support is ever more valuable than the cash alternative.

My mind went straight back to the wild ride that was the Thames Swim Against Sewage and the game-changing, last-minute support we received from Red Equipment.

Quick rewind: last September, eight athletes undertook a 240km non-stop relay from the source of the Thames to (as close as they could to) Westminster. This feat was a high-visibility, defiant call for cleaner rivers and seas across the UK.

A project of this complexity and scale requires a true team effort, and the dedication from everyone involved was nothing short of relentless. But the project came to fruition FAST, and at the wrong end of a budget year to successfully secure any financial sponsorship.

Enter Red Equipment, whose products became a crucial part of the journey before a single toe touched the water.

With the Thames as frigid as 16°C, the swimmers’ ability to recover was paramount. Robes were worn almost every moment the team weren’t in the river – during forced breaks at locks and even in preference to sleeping bags…

Flasks were continuously being filled up with hot chocolate or coffee every two hours as we shuttled the swimmers, boat crew, medics, the talented Duncan Nicholls & co, and logistics support to and from the (often wildly remote) relay hand-over locations.

The gear really came into its own. Not only did it keep the team warm and dry despite water coming from literally every direction, but it raised spirits and ensured that the swimmers could keep their focus entirely on the mission at hand: delivering our message to Parliament.

Beyond its functionality, it visually unified us. This sense of cohesion could be seen as we floated through local communities coming out in support, resonated strongly on social media, and provided a seamless visual narrative as the challenge made its way through the press and onto breakfast news.

It proved that when product support is in genuine alignment with a mission, the value extends far beyond logistics or financial value. The product becomes an authentic, indispensable part of the story itself.