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Gateway to the Sea is a new sea swimming initiative taking place on Saturday 27 June in Brighton, designed to help blind and partially sighted people build confidence in open water through supported coaching, guided swims and shared learning.

Led by the University of Brighton in partnership with – the UK's national disability sport organisation for blind and partially sighted people – and open water swimming specialists , the initiative is also supported by Melanie Barratt – a double Paralympic champion, six-time World Champion, World Triathlon Champion and the first blind woman to swim the English Channel. , a UK-based outdoor adventure brand with a passion for helping people enjoy life on and around the water, is also supporting the project.

Melanie Barratt swims the English Channel

Sadie Rockliffe

Using as a base, participants will spend time both in the centre's facilities and in the sea itself, supported by SwimTrek’s coaches and swim guides and experienced open water swimmers.

The initiative builds directly on University of Brighton research led by , which examines the opportunities and barriers blind and partially sighted people encounter when accessing blue spaces such as seas, rivers and lakes.

Organisers hope Gateway to the Sea will provide a model that can be developed in other locations around the UK, creating lasting opportunities for blind and partially sighted people to access blue spaces safely, confidently and enjoyably.

While open water swimming continues to grow in popularity across the UK, many people with sight loss face significant barriers to participation.

More than adults now swim in lakes, rivers and the sea each year, reflecting the rapid growth of open water swimming as a way to improve physical and mental wellbeing. However, for the people living with sight loss in the UK, concerns around safety and navigation, limited access to appropriate support, and a lack of opportunities to build confidence in natural water environments can make participation far more challenging.

The initiative has been designed to address these challenges through a fully supported day of coaching, guided swimming and shared learning, helping participants experience the sea in a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment.

The programme includes pool-based coaching, a guided sea swim supported by qualified coaches and one-to-one swim guides, opportunities for discussion and reflection, and a talk from Melanie Barratt about her own journey in swimming and open water.

Sadie developed the project following months of research spent swimming, walking and exploring blue spaces alongside blind and partially sighted participants.

Sadie Rockliffe said: “Gateway to the Sea has grown directly from conversations with blind and partially sighted swimmers about what helps people access and enjoy blue spaces. The day is about creating a supportive environment where people can develop confidence and familiarity with open water, connect with others, and explore sea swimming in ways that feel accessible, enjoyable and sustainable. We hope the event will be the start of longer-term opportunities, connections and support networks, rather than simply a one-off experience.”

Melanie Barratt will support participants throughout the day, sharing insights from her own sporting journey and swimming alongside those taking part. Born with congenital toxoplasmosis, which severely affects her vision, Melanie has spent decades competing at the highest levels of international sport before becoming the first blind woman to successfully swim the English Channel.

Melanie Barratt said: “I have always loved the feeling of freedom being in the water gives me and have always loved to swim. After I retired from competitive swimming I always swam for relaxation and the joy it brings. I remember longing to swim in open water, and to swim from place to place, even country to country - but I thought it would be impossible.

“However, the open water swimming community is incredibly welcoming and inclusive and I was supported and helped into the water - and I was hooked! The feeling of literally being immersed in nature; the sounds, smells, colours and sensations were just like nothing else. I fell in love with the personal challenge it gave me and one thing led to another…

“Being blind or visually impaired can be so incredibly isolating, sometimes it’s difficult just leaving the house. But since joining a local open water swimming group I have made some incredible friends and developed a confidence in what I can do that has spilled over into all areas of my life. I know how hard it was to take those first initial steps into the water, so I am so excited to be able to offer this opportunity to others!”

British Blind Sport has helped shape the event through its Have A Go Days programme, which creates opportunities for blind and partially sighted people to experience new sports and activities in accessible environments.

Shamira Naidu-Young, Senior Sport Development Officer at British Blind Sport, said: “At British Blind Sport we are committed to creating sustainable, accessible sport and physical activity opportunities for blind and partially sighted people. The Gateway to the Sea project fits perfectly with our Have a Go Day offer, which enables people to try new sports and activities within a safe environment with dedicated exit routes in place. We hope that the event will help participants to build their confidence and skills so that they can continue to enjoy open water swimming. We are excited to be working with such aligned and passionate partners to make this event happen.”

SwimTrek will provide qualified coaches, lifeguards and operational support throughout the day, helping ensure participants can experience open water swimming safely and confidently.

Ash Van Wensveen, Managing Director at SwimTrek, said: "At SwimTrek, we believe the benefits of open water swimming should be accessible to everyone to enjoy. We're proud to be partnering with the University of Brighton, British Blind Sport and Melanie Barratt to support Gateway to the Sea. Working together alongside our experienced swimming coaches and beach lifeguards, participants can build confidence in the water, develop their open water skills and safely experience the wellbeing and enjoyment that sea swimming can bring. We hope this initiative will inspire more opportunities to make open water swimming inclusive, accessible and enjoyable for all."

Support for the event also comes from Red Equipment, which is providing branded dryrobes, t-shirts and participant gifts for participants taking part in Gateway to the Sea. 

Rather than offering a one-off experience, Gateway to the Sea aims to help participants develop lasting confidence, connections and support networks that enable them to continue engaging with sea swimming long after the event has ended.

Organisers hope the initiative will provide a model for how blue space activities can be made more accessible across the UK, demonstrating how researchers, sports organisations, community groups and commercial partners can work together to break down barriers to participation.

By creating opportunities for people with sight loss to access the sea safely and confidently, the project aims to contribute to a wider conversation about inclusion, wellbeing and who gets to enjoy the benefits of the natural environment.

The initiative is funded through the University of Brighton's Ignite 3.5 programme, supported by Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) Impact Acceleration Account funding.