Dart Harbour have released an update about a new Dart Harbour swim zone for locals and visitors.
Dart Harbour Press Release
9th August 2024
In modern times young people often spend far too long sat in front of a computer screen, and not
enjoying the incredible natural environment that we are lucky to have surrounding them. It was with
this in mind that Dart Harbour have just opened the new swim zone in the centre of Dartmouth –
located outside the Harbour Office on South Embankment.
Harbour Master Paul Britton explained: “This quay has been used for many years by local young people
to cool off in the summer months, and we wanted to provide a much better facility for them. We’ve
now fully enclosed it to provide a dedicated area for swimming, and added additional ladders and
signage for safety. To make it more fun, a floating swim platform gives an alternative place to warm
up for a few minutes, and to give a new opportunity to jump in.
Dartmouth has a fairly limited range of activities for 10-16 year olds, and so we expect this site to be
very popular, and a great addition to the town. As you can see from the photos, the Dart Harbour
team gave the new set-up a very good test, and we can confirm that the water is warm, and pushing a
colleague off the swim platform is very satisfying teambuilding!”
Local broadcaster and marine biologist Monty Halls summed things up rather well on Instagram: “In
times of Health and Safety, of wrapping ourselves and our loved ones in cotton wool, in risk avoidance,
can I just tip my hat to the folks of @dartharbour who have created a special area off the quay wall so
kids can indulge in the oldest and greatest of all past-times – jumping into the sea from a decent height.
Was I also one of these kids? Ah yes, yes I was”
There has been a lot of negative press around water quality in the last few years, however it is good to
note that the newly designated bathing water site nearby at Warfleet Creek has been regularly
achieving water quality that meets excellent standards in the weekly Environment Agency checks.
Swimmers should however remember that this is a natural river. The water is mainly very deep, and
there is a tidal current. It is not safe to dive close to the quay at low tide. Check the signage for further
information. There is no lifeguard, and parents should supervise their children when using the swim
zone.
Dart Harbour is a trust port. We are a statutory harbour authority, set up as an independent non-profit
organization who look after the whole Dart Estuary, from the sea to Totnes, managing the harbour for
the benefit of our stakeholders and for future generations. You can find more information about their
work at www.dartharbour.org.