Introduction To Open Water Swimming Course in the Lake District presented by Head to the Hills ~ Swim the Lake District

1. Andrea Tucker, Pete Kelly
& Lianne Brook-Sanders

2. What is Open Water Swimming? –
Swimming in open bodies of water: lakes,
tarns, rivers, bays and sea.

3. Open Water Swimming
No Lanes, Tiles, Few Boundaries
Its Wild, Natural and Open to the Elements
Great Views, Great People
Its Breath-taking
Fast growing sport
Exploring & Adventure

4. Welcome to the Road Less-Travelled
Enjoyment starts with being comfortable in the water
& having enough awareness of environment to stay safe.
Always take responsibility for your own safety
Planning + awareness = risks reduced & the world of
open water swimming opens up

5. How is it different from the pool?

6. ... It’s a completely different environment – affected by
weather, temperature, currents, tides and other water
users!

7. Hazards
• Other Users
• Temperature
• Effect of weather
• Currents & tides
• Water quality
• Shore/ waterbed
• Submerged Obstacles
• Accessibility
• The Fear!
•Disorientation / Dizzy

8. Safety
Research your venue
Don’t Swim Without Company
Be Visible
Use common Sense
Avoid weed/ obstacles
Swim within your limits
Don’t Panic- Maintain composure no matter what.
 Cold Water shock
 Gasp response
 Panic –hyperventilate
 Vasoconstriction
 Watch for signs of Hypothermia
 Get Checked out: Flu symptoms, GI discomfort, skin,
ENT infections

9. How to Swim Wild: Adapting Your Style
Min Resistance; Max economy
Let wetsuit float you
Streamline - body alignment
RELAX & Breathe
Remember to look… (you’ll be more
efficient)

10. How to Swim Wild: Adapting Your Style
Different
Conditions
 Practice in different
conditions
 Bi-lateral breathing (avoid
chop)
 Sighting – landmarks,
buoys
Acclimatise
Get in slowly
Relax – don’t hold breath
Steady exhale; blow bubbles
Swim Regularly

11. Open Water Swimming gear
Swimming Wetsuit
Goggles
Swim cap
...And for when it’s on the chilly side!
Swim socks
Neoprene gloves
Neoprene cap
Thermal rash vest
Ear plugs

12. Where to Swim
Navigable water
Sea
Quieter Lakes & Tarns
Land Owners permission /Not reservoirs
…Still do your own Risk Assessment
Our Impact
Leave nothing but ripples
Non-Native Invasive Species: Check, Clean Dry

13. I Like it, Where Next?
Event Practice Workshop
 Sighting & Navigation
 Technique
 Swimming in a group
 Dealing with starts /exits
 Rounding buoys, Drafting
Guided Wild Swims
 2hr Dips to Weekend Swimming Adventures
 Windermere Wild Swimming Weekend / Utterly Buttermere Weekend
Wetsuit Fitting Service

14. Where to get great advice
OpenWaterSwimmingClub.com
HeadtotheHills.co.uk
OutdoorSwimmingSociety.org
Environment agency
Swimming.org
Scrt.co.uk
Facebook groups
 Lake District Open Water swimmers
 Facebook/headtothehills

15. Let’s go Open Water
Swimming!
Head to the Hills ~ Swim the Lake District
2 Compston Road, Ambleside. LA22 9DJ
015394 33826 HeadtotheHills.co.uk