Dive into fun this summer at the UK's First National Marine Park!

5th August 2024

Plymouth Sound National Marine Park launches Your Summer Your Sound, a programme with over 900 free activity sessions that are designed to engage and inspire people in, on, under and around the UK's first national marine park.

Through feedback received during a learning and development stage, Plymouth Sound National Marine Park learnt about the barriers that prevent people from accessing the sea – these ranged from water confidence and financial restrictions to accessibility.

Thanks to significant investment from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Youth Investment Fund, Plymouth Sound National Marine Park are able to begin their five-year transformational programme with a series of free summer activities.

The activities run from Tinside Lido and Mount Wise Pools, include the SwimSafe programme and Activity Sessions, which are available throughout the summer period. Young people can sign up for free to learn to swim, or trial scuba, snorkelling, life-guarding and aqua-fit, alongside lots of other fun ways to enjoy the water in a safe environment.

Rhys Jones, CEO of Plymouth Active Leisure, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for local young people to learn new skills that not only support their safety in the water, but can provide them with a pathway to employment.”

The programme is designed to build confidence, enhance knowledge and eventually encourage people to explore the multiple ways to enjoy Plymouth Sound National Marine Park that are available on our doorstep.

Council Leader, Tudor Evans OBE, said: “It is amazing that through a combination of funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport’s Youth Investment Fund and Plymouth City Council, we are able to provide such a wide range of exciting activities that will engage and inspire the people of Plymouth. Access to funds should not stop anyone from enjoying what the city has to offer, so it is brilliant to see all free activities available.”

A four-day Marine Citizenship activity programme aimed to engage up to fifty participants each week from a wide range of local community groups will run at the Mount Batten Watersports and Activities Centre for a four-week period. Throughout the week participants will learn about local wildlife, the importance of our coastline and how they can have a lasting impact on Plymouth Sound.

Sam Waites, Watersports and Activities Manager at Mount Batten Centre, said: “Through funding via our partnership with Plymouth Sound National Marine Park we’re able to open up this amazing initiative to our wider community groups, enabling them to build new and lasting relationships with the ocean”.  

The Mount Batten Centre also run an extensive range of exciting water activities that people can book through their website, from a Stand Up Paddleboard or Kayak tour taking in the local heritage and picturesque coastline, to their RYA approved youth sailing courses that run on a weekly basis.

There are also lots of marine themed land based activities that people can get involved with throughout the holidays. Look out for our Meet the Marine Park team who will be popping up at events across the city.

At select events, you'll also have the chance to join Plymouth Laureate of Words, Rosemarie Corlett, in her "Letters to the Ocean" activity, part of The Box's Planet Ocean exhibition, where everyone is invited to pen their heartfelt messages to the sea.

For those who prefer to stay dry-ish, there are plenty of volunteer activities to get involved in. Join one of the coastal clean-ups or citizen science events throughout the summer. These activities offer a fantastic way to contribute to the conservation of Plymouth’s beautiful marine environment whilst meeting new friends.

Plymouth Sound National Marine Park offers countless other exciting activities. From Rockpool Safaris to walking the beautiful South West Coast Path, there's no shortage of ways to engage with the local heritage and nature. The summer campaign, "Your Summer, Your Sound," links to a dedicated landing page listing all the exciting ways to get in, on, under, and around Plymouth Sound National Marine Park this summer. What will you choose? For more information and to plan your visit: Your Summer Your Sound - Plymouth Sound National Marine Park