With lakes, beaches and lochs of all shapes and sizes in Great Britain, open water swimming scoffs at lane ropes and pool walls – it knows no boundaries.
If you’re looking to step up and challenge yourself away from the pool then open water swimming is the perfect way to take your swimming in a new direction.
While you must be competent, you don’t have to be a superstar swimmer to take on open water – it’s a fairly simple transition from the pool – and the more you do it, the better you’ll be.
There are risks of course: swimming alone is not recommended, the temperature and choppiness of the water can be difficult to contend with and weather conditions can make things interesting.
But wearing a wetsuit helps insulate against the cold and keeps you buoyant and open water swimmers will tell you that this all adds to the fun!
Open water club guidance
Clubs that would like to deliver open water training should have coaches undertake an open water qualification and complete a comprehensive risk assessment. Clubs will also need to ensure that suitable safety cover is in place at the venue.
Open Water Hub
Swim England have introduced an Open Water Hub to provide information and support for potential and experienced open water swimmers.
