We’ve written a lot about the IRL community movement in London and for Episode 7 of our Insider Access series we wanted to explore the BTS of a real life movement in action.
Lowri started Girly Dips after injuring her neck and having to stop the sport she’d grown up doing. She still wanted to swim, but what she really missed was the sense of community. There wasn’t a space where women could simply turn up, have a swim and meet new people, so she put a post on Instagram asking if anyone fancied joining her. Two women came. They went for brunch afterwards, and without knowing it, they’d just started Girly Dips.
Today, more than 5,000 women have joined the community. They meet at places like Brockwell Lido, lakes and the sea, but swimming is only part of it. Their youngest regular is 22 and their oldest is in her seventies. Seeing women from completely different generations become genuine friends has been the biggest surprise for them. They share life advice, support one another and make every new person feel welcome. Lowri’s watched women arrive on their own and leave with plans for dinner, holidays and even dating events together.
Lowri hopes Girly Dips keeps growing, not because she wants the biggest swim club in London, but because she wants more women to find what she found. Sometimes all it takes is one cold swim to realise you’re not alone…
Watch the video to learn more and be sure to support them.
Insider Access
Insider Access is LOTI’s short-form documentary series taking you behind the scenes of the people, places and events shaping London.
Each film is created because we think it’s an important story to tell. We document it as it unfolds and show you what you don’t see on opening night or launch day.
It’s about the people making London tick, how they got there and what it actually takes to make something happen – whether that’s campaigning to save nightlife, performing at the Royal Opera House or a three-month sprint to open a pizza spot.
Real people. Real places. Stories you won’t find anywhere else.
See more in our series here.
