A Heartbreaking Farewell to a Beloved Brighton Swimming Group
In a move that’s left many in the community reeling, the Seabirds Community Interest Company, a Brighton-based swimming group, has announced its impending closure. But here's where it gets emotional: this decision wasn’t made lightly. Founded in 2018 by Cath Brown and Kath Ferguson, two friends who found solace and healing in the sea after battling work-related burnout, Seabirds was more than just a swimming group—it was a lifeline for thousands. Their mission? To make outdoor swimming accessible to everyone, while raising funds for environmental causes. And they succeeded spectacularly, welcoming over 7,000 swimmers, delivering nearly 1,000 lessons, and donating almost £25,000 to worthy causes.
But here’s where it gets controversial: despite their incredible impact, the organizers cite funding issues as the reason for closing. With rising costs and dwindling donations, they’ve been operating at a loss, forcing them to shut down the company in spring 2026. This raises a thought-provoking question: how do we sustain community-driven initiatives like Seabirds in an increasingly profit-driven world? And this is the part most people miss—the emotional toll of such closures on the community they’ve nurtured.
The organizers assure that the Salty Seabirds community will live on, though not under the Seabirds CIC name. They’re incredibly proud of their achievements, particularly their commitment to offering free or subsidized lessons, which made the sea accessible to those who might not have otherwise experienced it. Yet, despite exploring every avenue—fundraising, grants, new lesson models—the financial strain proved insurmountable.
Before closing, Seabirds will host its final Arctic Tern Winter Swimming Challenge, with every entry directly funding swimmers through Refugee Radio. They’ll also run their last swimming lesson courses over the next six weeks. In their heartfelt farewell message, the organizers expressed profound gratitude to everyone who supported their mission, whether by joining a swim, shopping at their store, or participating in their challenges. “From the bottom of our salty hearts—thank you for swimming with us, supporting us, and believing in our mission,” they added.
A bold question to leave you with: As we bid farewell to Seabirds CIC, what can we, as a community, do to ensure that such impactful initiatives don’t fade away due to financial constraints? Share your thoughts in the comments—let’s keep the conversation going and the spirit of Seabirds alive.
