Artist plans to tackle 14 swimming pools in 12 hours

OF all the ways of travelling through the city, swimming does not usually spring to mind.

But artist Tim Taylor is planning a 12-hour aquatic journey to celebrate Edinburgh's swimming pools and raise cash for charity.

He will splash his way through 14 pools tomorrow, swimming one length in each.

But the longest part of his journey will be the ten-mile walk between pools – dressed only in his swimming trunks and a bathrobe.

Photographs and videos of his journey will be on display, most likely at the Commonwealth Pool, later this year.

Mr Taylor, 38, from Tollcross, was inspired to begin his epic swim by the imminent closure of the Commonwealth for refurbishment. He also wanted to raise money for MS Scotland, in memory of his mother Isla who died last year.

He will take the plunge at Gracemount Leisure Centre at 7am, finishing at Portobello Beach at 7pm. Overall, he will swim through nine of Edinburgh's 11 public swimming baths, as well as five privately-owned pools.

He said: "This is a celebration of swimming and the pools. We're very well off for public pools in Edinburgh

"I've been thinking about doing this for some years. I've been a happy swimmer since a very young age, but I only started going regularly five years ago.

"I'll also be raising money for MS Scotland, in memory of my mother. She was named Isla, after the river of Angus, Perth and Kinross. She was always very supportive of me. I've raised £950 so far, and if I get to four figures I'll be happy.

"Ironically the swimming is quite a small element of the journey. It's less than I'd do in an evening – just a length of each pool. But I'll be walking 16.5 kilometres in between."

He added: "I expect I'll be getting some funny looks from people in the street. I'll be wearing a bathrobe, but I might take it off if it gets hot. I'll have a brolly with me in case it rains."

He said he was also inspired by the 1968 film The Swimmer, in which the hero decides to swim home through friends' pools.

A photographer and filmmaker will be accompanying him on parts of his journey. He will also be recording some of the public reaction. Mr Taylor has built up a local and international reputation for quirky works of art, often inspired by everyday buildings and objects. He photographed the worn terrazzo floor of every changing cubicle of the Victorian baths of Warrender Swim Centre in 2003, prior to its refurbishment.

This resulted in a photographic work entitled Sole Wear, Soul Restitution.

His work, Bird in Hand, which included 240 used Lothian Buses tickets, was shown in San Francisco in 2006.

His most recent exhibition, Office Explorations, uses objects such as water coolers, chairs and towel dispensers shown in unusual ways. This will feature in a book to be published later this year.

Mr Taylor said Edinburgh Leisure had been "very helpful and enthusiastic" about his plans, and are supporting his plans for an exhibition. He also thanked private health clubs for allowing him to use their pools.

Lindsey Renwick, head of operations for Edinburgh Leisure, said: "Tim's amphibious adventure is as worthwhile as it is unusual – but it's also a reminder of how much fun swimming can be.

"We were only too happy to offer our support and wish Tim all the best tomorrow."

• www.timgtaylor.com
• www.edinburghleisure.co.uk
• www.justgiving.com/swimmingthecity