Dive into Inverclyde

Celebrating swimming and our relationship with the water

Inverclyde’s relationship to the water runs deep – right to the bottom of the Clyde riverbed.

Join us over the first two weeks of August to take a dive into the history of swimming in Inverclyde. Reflect and consider your relationship to the water, while you explore and enjoy Inverclyde’s own story.

We invite you to get your bathing suit on and discover inspiring swimmers from Inverclyde, paint a float to be added to our community artwork, get creative and write a poem about water, learn about the fight to save Govanhill Baths, and dive deep into the history of swimming along the Clyde with historian Lucy Janes.

There will be two exhibitions taking place across the two weeks, one exploring the history of swimming in Inverclyde at Gourock Outdoor Pool, and the other celebrating the Gourock Amateur Swimming Club at Gourock Library.

Saturday 1st August
12.00-19.00
Float into the past
Travel ‘doon the watter’ with us by contributing to our
community lane divider at Govanhill Parade, before we
bring the lane divider back to Gourock.

Sunday 2nd August
11.00-15.00
Float into the past
Travel ‘doon the watter’ with us by contributing to our
community lane divider. Imagine yourself in swimming
costumes from the past, swap outfits and take yourself for
a dip at Gourock Outdoor Pool.

Wednesday
5th August
14.30-15.00
Bookbug by the Water
Splash around join a Bookbug by the water, a wet story,
song and rhyme session for children aged 0-5 years and
their families and carers to enjoy together. Sessions last
around 30 minutes, and booking is required!

Friday
7th August
11.00-14.00
Send a Postcard to the Pool
Create an audio postcard to send to your favourite pool.
Whether that’s Gourock, elsewhere in Inverclyde or anywhere
in the world, share what makes your pool great!

Saturday
8th August
10.00-16.00
Govanhill Baths Travelling exhibition
Get inspired by the campaign to save Govanhill Baths at
Gourock Pool. Hear ballads, watch films and discover artwork
inspired by swimming and history of Govanhill Baths.

Sunday
9th August
11.00-14.00
Haiku by the Pool:
A Family Poetry Workshop at Gourock Pool
Create a splash and get creative in a haiku workshop that
introduces you to poetry through games and examples
inspired by water, swimming and seaside life.

Tuesday
11th August
11.00-14.00
Send a Postcard to the Pool
Create an audio postcard to send to your favourite pool.
Whether that’s Gourock, elsewhere in Inverclyde or anywhere
in the world, share what makes your pool great!

Wednesday
12th August
22.00-00.00
Float into the past
Take an evening trip ‘doon the watter’ with us by contributing
to our community lane divider. Imagine yourself in swimming costumes from the past, swap outfits and take yourself for a dip at Gourock Outdoor Pool.

Friday
14th August
13.00-14.00
A Dip in the Clyde:
Inverclyde Heritage Network monthly talks with Lucy Janes
Take a paddle up the Clyde with historian Lucy Janes, discover how the river has interacted with swimmers over the past 100 years. Delivered in partnership with
the Inverclyde Heritage Network.