SWIMMING and the sea is the theme of Swim the Wight's Vitamin Sea at the Quay event next Saturday (May 14).

The event — at Quay Arts, Newport — will see national and local speakers taking to the stage in the Anthony Minghella Theatre in a day of inspirational talks, stalls, discussion and art.

The event is open to swimmers and non-swimmers alike, who will have the opportunity learn about a range of topics, from the physiological effects of cold water; sea creatures of The Solent; waves, tides and currents around the Isle of Wight; long distance swimming in the Arctic and Antarctica and local projects and aspirations.

This is your chance to meet other open-water swimmers and share tips and information about top swimming spots, kits, events and more.

Speakers include Dr Heather Massey, extreme conditions physiologist at Portsmouth University; BBC 1's Cath Pendleton (aka The Merthyr Mermaid); the RNLI; Theo Vickers, underwater photographer; Keith Herbert of Southern Water; Dr Simon Boxall, oceanographer; sponsors Isle of Wight Distillery who produce Mermaid Gin; the Isle of Wight Channel Relay team and Aspire Gorillas.

The event will run at the same time as Riverfest, so why not pop along to both!

Tickets for the Vitamin Sea theatre programme are £10, click here to book.