Plymouth's Lord Mayor, Sue Dann, gathered people together to do a synchronised jump into Tinside Lido to kick off the event

The Big Blue Splash was running across this weekend, and we went along to see what was happening and spoke to the organisers and volunteers who made the event possible. So what was the Big Blue Splash? Well it was a bumper weekend of free activities for all ages to enjoy with unmissable taster sessions.

The weekend event has been funded through the Plymouth National Marine Park Heritage Horizon Award, which has been possible with a £9.5 million grant from the Heritage Fund, thanks to money raised by National Lottery Players.

The activities include taster sessions on the water like stand up paddle boarding, kayaking, guided snorkelling, open water swimming and even SUP yoga- the ultimate test of balance with yoga while on a paddle board. The Big Blue Splash activities have been spread around Plymouth, with some being held at Tinside Lido, the Hoe Foreshore, Mount Edgecombe, Mount Batten and Firestone Bay.

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PlymouthLive attended the Tinside Lido event on Saturday, July 23, where there were designated areas for the various activities in and out of the water. For instance there was a local group called The Rock Pool Project which had a transportable rock pool featuring local sea creatures found around the corner.

Alongside the taster sessions, there were performances, music and even two giant gulls making people smile and laugh. There were also on shore activities at Big Blue Splash including a chance to try e-bikes and art workshops. Also in the afternoon The Barbican Theatre group paraded enormous hand-crafted puppets on the Hoe- keeping with the Big Blue Splash theme.

Many spotted the Radio 1 DJ's giant puzzle piece placed in the centre of the lido, with one Plymouth mum sending a photo to Radio 1 and getting a call back.

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Excited' mum finds Greg James' giant puzzle piece at Big Blue Splash

Warnings as people using Plymouth LOOK II statue as a diving platform

Radio 1's Greg James' giant jigsaw puzzle piece is in Tinside Lido

People started arriving at Tinside Lido for the free taster sessions in the morning

Plymouth's Lord Mayor, Sue Dann opened the Big Blue Splash event with a few words. She said "We are at Tinside Lido in the National Marine Park, Plymouth Sound and this is Sue, the Lord Mayor and we are about to make a big splash!"

People at Big Blue Splash lined up along the pool side to jump in together- including Plymouth's Lord Mayor.

Two gulls joined the event and entertained everyone at the Big Blue Splash. However this one took a break and decided to relax in a sun lounger.

Volunteers at Big Blue Splash Kat Deeney and Nick Helm after taking a dip

People were all geared up for their taster snorkelling session in Plymouth Sound

Cabinet member Jonathon Drean and Plymouth's Lord Mayor laugh as two gulls pose with them for a photo

People trying out the taster session for SUP yoga– the ultimate test of balance with yoga on a paddle board

Carol Frier and her dog Buddy at Big Blue Splash while her two daughters tried the SUP yoga

The friendly and knowledgeable team at The Rock Pool Project

The team and the transportable rock pool at The Rock Pool Project. They even visit schools with it

Inside the rock pool were lots of different underwater creatures found across Plymouth

The Rock Pool Project were at Tinside Lido for the Big Blue Splash event with their very own rock pool- and local creatures

Chloe Wilcock at Tinside Lido with Radio 1's giant puzzle piece

A huge and colourful jelly fish- created by The Barbican Theatre- paraded across Plymouth Hoe as part of the Big Blue Splash event

The Barbican Theatre created giant puppets for the Big Blue Splash parade- including a enormous mermaid

Inside of the giant jelly fish