One of the most popular summer pastimes in Ithaca is to swim in the city's natural gorges. but the activity is actually banned. Since no one seems to listen to the rules, the city has enacted even tougher laws against it. As our Tina Yazdani reports, they're hoping to prevent tragic accidents. 

ITHACA, N.Y. -- "I finally did it. Everyone was encouraging me to go and it didn't hurt at all. It was definitely worth it," swimmer Cassie Swan said.

For generations, Ithacans have come to Second Dam to swim, climb and cliff dive. It's a longstanding tradition that's actually banned by the city.

"Along with having these magnificent natural resources in our community, there are also inherently dangers," Ithaca City Clerk Julia Holcomb said.

On Wednesday night, the city's administration committee voted to enact even stricter laws.

After much debate, they added the words bathing, floating and jumping to the ban, essentially prohibiting any full body entry into the city's natural water areas. 

They say the specificity of these words will help clarify what is a ticketable offense.

"So that people fully understand what's allowed, and what's not allowed in those areas," Holcomb said.

The move comes as a result of some accidents over the years, including the death of a 21-year-old last summer.

However, people swimming and cliff diving there are confident in their skills. They say as long as you're responsible, you'll be safe.

"It's a lot of fun, you gotta jump safely though," swimmer Anthony Hawkes said. "There's a lot of hazards to it too, but as long as you're safe about it."

"It's a lot of fun, but you just have to take precautions and come knowing what you're getting into," swimmer Alicia Pratt said.

They say it's important to allow the public to use spaces like this one.

"It brings in tourism, it brings people together, it makes people want to come outside," Swan said.

"It keeps the community together, it keeps a lot of people active and involved," swimmer Joseph Dollenger said.

"If you're responsible when you come here, I mean Ithaca's kind of known for its gorges, and I think it would be honestly a shame if they did ban," swimmer Brittani Spade said.

Until the ban takes effect, they say they'll spend as much time in these waters as they can.

The new legislation has been passed by the city committee, but will still need to be approved by the full common council in August.