Red x Level Water
“Life Is Better by the Water”: This is why Red Equipment and Level Water have joined forces.
For both Red Equipment and Level Water, water isn’t just a setting. It’s a source. A reset. A playground, a path to confidence, and sometimes - a lifeline.
That’s why this partnership feels like it was meant to be.
“It’s honestly one of those relationships that just clicks,” says Ian from Level Water. “We should’ve been working together years ago. We both love being outdoors - and we both want to make that possible for more people.”
Red’s ethos is simple and powerful: Life’s Better By The Water. From the beginning, they’ve been focused on encouraging more people to access the physical and mental benefits of being in, on, or near the water - and to do it safely, joyfully, and confidently.
“There’s such an obvious synergy,” says Catherine Morris, Commercial Director from Red. “Whether it’s empowering people to get on the water for the first time, or taking on a huge open water swim challenge - we’re all about helping people find those moments of confidence and connection.”
Blue Health, Big Swims, and Real Impact
At Level Water, we’re driven by a simple idea: swimming should be for everyone. We teach children with disabilities how to swim, giving them access to a life skill that opens doors - to joy, to freedom, to safety, and to the outdoors.
But it’s not just about the pool. With Red’s support, we’ve been able to bring more people into the water in every sense - through our Bantham Swoosh, Hurly Burly, and other wild swimming events where paddleboards play a central role in safety and support.
“We use over 60 paddleboards at our events to help lifeguards keep swimmers safe,” Ian explains. “And the quality of that kit matters. It gives people the confidence to take on a real challenge.”
That attention to safety - and the empowerment it enables - is a core value Red shares deeply.
“You can’t enjoy an adventure if you don’t feel safe doing it,” says Catherine. “And we want people to have the confidence to stretch themselves, to try something new, to get on the water and just feel good about it.”
The Science - and Soul - of Water
There’s a growing body of research showing what many of us already know intuitively: water is good for you. Physically. Mentally. Emotionally. The “blue health” effect is real - and it doesn’t just apply to elite athletes.
“Whether you’re paddleboarding or swimming, there’s a huge psychological benefit,” says Catherine. “And that applies to kids and adults alike. The water gives you clarity, calm, and energy. It’s good for your mind, body and soul.”
That’s something Ian felt personally when starting the charity:
“Swimming helps my body feel better. It clears my mind. It pulls me out of the busyness of life. I wanted to give that to more people - especially to those who wouldn’t otherwise get the chance.”
Community at the Core
The impact of this partnership isn’t just in the water - it’s in the people.
“We’ve already got a team from Red doing the Bantham Swoosh,” Catherine shares. “Some of them are seasoned swimmers, others are nervous first-timers. But they’re doing it together - and it’s really brought the team together in a powerful way.”
That community spirit runs deep in outdoor swimming. At our events, people arrive as strangers and leave as swim companions. They cheer each other on. Share advice. Share snacks. And always, share stories.
“There’s a reason outdoor swimming is used in cancer support groups,” Catherine says. “It builds connection. It gives people what they need - movement, nature, and other people. It’s genuinely one of the most welcoming sports out there.”
Shared Values, Shared Purpose
As a B Corp, Red doesn’t just make kit - they build it with purpose. From design to delivery, they care about people, community and the planet. And that makes this partnership even more meaningful.
“We’ve always tried to do the right thing because it’s the right thing to do,” says Catherine. “B Corp has helped formalise that - but it was already part of who we were.”
“Working with Level Water is a perfect extension of that,” she continues. “Helping people who might never have had the chance to experience the outdoors, to paddle, to swim, to feel that benefit - that’s what it’s all about.”
The Power of Water, for Everyone
“If I could sum up Red’s impact on Level Water,” says Ian, “it’s this: helping more people set off on a journey - to spend more time in, on, and around water. That’s how life gets better.”
“And for us,” says Catherine, “it’s about the empowering nature of water - and the incredible benefits it brings to people from all walks and stages of life.”
Together, we’re working to make those benefits available to more people - from a child taking their first lesson in the pool, to an adult nervously standing on the start line of their first Swoosh. Because access to water shouldn’t be a privilege - it should be a right. And when it is, life opens up in incredible ways.