By Lucy Meredith
Bramley Mermaids have just launched a winter fundraising swim challenge.
Classes run on Sunday afternoons at Bramley Baths and they often perform at events like the Bramley Arts Festival and as part of the Hollywood meets Bollywood performance at Ilkley Lido this summer.
So far 17 mermaids have signed up to take part in the challenge to swim 180km by 31 January 2026, raising sponsorship funds to pay for club running costs such as pool hire and training.
Bramley Mermaids – which is described by attendees as ‘sociable, hilarious and fabulous creative exercise’ – is the only swimming club of its kind in Yorkshire.
Sunday classes are water-based dance sessions. using vintage-style synchronised swimming techniques to create fun routines to music.
The club is also a place for women to come and exercise, improve their water confidence, learn new skills and make new friends.
The challenge is inspired by the incredible achievement of Diana Nyad, who swam 180km from Cuba to Florida. It was her fifth attempt. She was 64 years old and she did it in 53 hours.
Her story is told in the movie Nyad.
Bramley Mermaids club relies on funding from grants and donations to subsidise the cost of running a swimming club so the sponsored swim will help the mermaids continue to keep their club sessions affordable and accessible for women who might otherwise miss out.
If you would like to find out more about the campaign or sponsor the mermaids Fundraising story here.
Find out more about the classes here.
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