OVs Bringing Water and Wellness Together at Watersedge

We were delighted to hear from sisters, OVs Sophy Howard (Br 02-09 and Old St Alban’s) and Emily Lang (née Howard, S 98-07), who have shared their journey to bring wellness to Worcestershire at their family-owned lake, Watersedge.

Watersedge is an 11-acre lake near Bishampton, which welcomed its first visitors in 2022 for open-water swim sessions, supervised by Sophy and Emily who, by then, were qualified lifeguards.

Following King’s, Emily went to Gloucester University to study Early Childhood Studies, and currently has three children under 10, all of whom are very much enjoying life at King’s Hawford. Sophy became a Personal Trainer in London, having completed her studies at the University of Edinburgh, before moving back home to the family farm just a mile from Watersedge as COVID struck.

Emily and Sophy’s mother had wanted to use the lake as a paddleboard and wild-swim venue but, without the capacity for the family to do it themselves at the time, they sublet the lake to a paddleboard instructor during the pandemic. Sadly, Mrs Howard was diagnosed with cancer the same week that Sophy moved back home and passed away nine months later in 2021.

The vision the family held for Watersedge inspired the sisters to create something bigger and bring an area of wellness excellence for the county, centred on the water.

Sophy explains, “Our gates first opened for open-water swim sessions in the summer of 2022. Since then, we have continued to build intentionally slowly, investing in a stretch tent for additional activities, including yoga, sound baths, breathwork, Tai Chi, fitness, Qui Gong, and Ecstatic dance. We also decided a wood-fired sauna with cold plunge would give an exciting and alternative experience for many of our visitors, which has proved very popular. These all complement our ongoing open-water swimming experiences and paddleboarding opportunities.”

Emily added, “It is wonderful to bring our mother’s dreams to reality and continue to grow the business by offering more opportunities for those in Worcestershire and beyond to benefit from the inspiring yet relaxing environment of Watersedge. We love what we do, and everyone comments on the enchanting vibe that’s been created.”

This summer, Emily and Sophy are hoping to host an Open-Water Swim Gala for the King’s Prep Schools, King’s St Alban’s and King’s Hawford, at Watersedge, helping to give the pupils an exciting new experience!