Antwerp (The Brussels Morning newspaper): This summer Antwerp will host “Swimming Sundays” at Bonapartedok for seven weeks allowing residents to swim for the first time in 200 years. The trial aims to assess safety and interest for a permanent swimming area
This summer at the MAS in Antwerp there will be a swimming spot at the Bonapartedok for 7 days. It’s a test run by Waterland vzw Outdoor Swimming Belgium vzw and the city of Antwerp to see if it’s safe and possible to have a permanent swimming area there. This event called “Swimming Sundays,” will happen for seven Sundays in a row. It lets people swim in the beautiful Bonapartedok in Antwerp giving them a fun way to enjoy the city’s waterfront. They want to see how well it works if people are safe and if they like it to maybe have a permanent swimming spot there later on.
What are the plans for open-air swimming at Bonapartedok in Antwerp?
There are two parts for swimming at Bonapartedok in Antwerp. One for swimming laps and another for free swimming. They use buoys to separate the areas. Swimmers can do laps or just have fun swimming. To join people need to know how to swim and sign up beforehand since only 100 people can swim there at once. Kids under 12 can’t swim there for safety. This trial run for seven Sundays will see if people like it and if it’s possible to have a permanent swimming spot there in the future.
Antwerp will have a new spot for open-air swimming at Bonapartedok, but they couldn’t find someone to run it permanently this summer. Mayor Bart De Wever says people can swim there for the first time in 200 years. Alderman Peter Wouters adds they’ll consider swimmers’ feedback for future plans at Bonapartedok to offer more space for swimming and water sports enthusiasts in Antwerp.
Mayor Bart De Wever from N-VA mentioned that after 200 years people will have the opportunity to swim in the Bonapartedok. This marks a significant occasion as it opens up a new chapter in the history of the dock allowing residents to enjoy swimming in this location for the first time in two centuries. Lieven Symons from Waterland mentioned that during the “Zalige Zwemdagen,” they are testing out different swimming spots in Flanders. They want to show how water in cities can be used for public spaces where people can meet, relax and have fun. Swimming on the Sundays is free on July 28, August 4, 11, 18, 25, and September 8 and 15.
