Brussels needs another BIG JUMP …

Since the closing of FLOW, there is no outdoor swimming in Brussels anymore, and the big and complex swimming projects fail to be realized anytime soon. But there IS water in Brussels that’s potentially swimmable: the canal that crosses Brussels from south to north.

Already today people swim in the canal due to the lack of alternatives. We are convinced that the canal can become in parts a safe and pleasant swimming place with the help of smart infrastructure, contemporary technology and clear information. Many other cities around the world with similar conditions show that this is possible!

To introduce this concept and inform the Brussels people about the risks and potentials of the canal as swimming place, we planned to organize another BIG JUMP in 2025.

… but the Port of Brussels said NO!

The BIG JUMP isn’t new for us. We organised it as an act of civil disobedience and without an official permission in 2016, 2017 and 2018. The last edition resulted in a very serious fine for POOL IS COOL from the Port of Brussels, the administration that manages the canal in Brussels. This time we approached them to become partners in the organisation of the BIG JUMP, seeing it as a chance to inform people about the true risks of swimming in the canal, and the necessary measures to make it a safe experience in the future. But the board of directors of the Port was very clear in their response: Not with us. For them, swimming in the canal is not an option (while it happens already at many places …). To underline their point of view, the Port shared a risk analysis of swimming in the canal which is an interesting document to react on. If the concerns are answered, what’s left to justify a general swimming ban in the canal?

▶︎ So, let’s collect the answers!

Embracing Brussels’ surrealism to make a point …

Let’s jump without jumping,

let’s enjoy the water without getting wet (but you can get wet if you want),

let’s have a water party without breaking the rules (this time)!

Risking another hefty fine if we invite you to swim without a permission, we must discourage you to jump into the canal even if all requirements are met. But as far as we know, the swimming ban only applies to real people …

… we invite you to a BIG JUMPARTY instead!

We’ve teamed up with a fantastic team of local and international initiatives to throw the best canal party a.k.a. RIGHT TO SWIM demonstration you can imagine! Because imagining is what we are best in: imagining a better future, imagining strategies to make it happen, and imagining the most awkward but funny way to raise awareness and express our shared ambition: TOGETHER FOR A SWIMMABLE BRUSSELS!

Meeting at FLOW, a parade to our favourite BIG JUMP location further up the canal southwards, a moment to raise our voice together and JUMP to make our point! Thanks to our collaborators you will be able to experience the canal from the water, enjoy an impromptu water playground, dance to the music, learn more about possibilities for swimming in the canal and how urban swimming is fought for in other cities, or simply enjoy a good pancake at the water.

Are you ready for a BIG JUMPARTY? See you on Sunday, 13 July at 13h at FLOW. Bring about 3 hours of your time and possibly swimwear, which is appreciated but not required. Splish splash!