Open Water Training 3rd September 2016 9.00am

by Helen Atton

The weather forecast is good so open water training will be on Saturday morning this week.  The temperature last night was 19C and although it looks like it might be rainy the water will be warm enough to comfortably swim without a wetsuit.

2016-08-31 18.31.05Training will again take place at Mallory Park Race Circuit, Kirkby Mallory, LE9 7QE where lake swimming is run by Cycling Mallory Park.  Map and safety information here:  The cost to is £5, payable at the time to Cycling Mallory.  They have a small number of wetsuits to hire if you contact them directly for anyone who can’t face swimming without!

When you arrive at Mallory park, drive through until, you get to a car park.  Ahead are some open gates with a florescent sign saying open water swimming – go through this gate and drive clockwise along the road alongside the track until you get to the footbridge over the race track.  Park here and walk over the footbridge then continue walking straight ahead to the desk by the entry slipway to the lake.

Please read the safety information before you arrive and all swimmers will need to fill in the safety form – this will need to be signed by parents for anyone under the age of 18 and you will not be allowed to swim without it!

You will need to bring:

  • Swimwear (already on to save time!), goggles and a bright coloured hat (I have spares if you only have a silver one).
  • Warm clothes to wear once you have got changed.
  • Something warm to wear to walk from the lake to the changing rooms, (eg a fleece or cagoule).

You may also like to bring:

  • Flip-flops
  • Wetsuit
  • A warm drink.
Training will take place during a public swimming session, so there will be other people using the lake and changing rooms.  As it is a public session, parents are welcome to swim too and I am happy to help anyone new to open water with acclimatisation.  At the same time there is cycling on the track too for £5.
Safety reminder:
Shower as soon as possible after leaving the water.  Wash all equipment that has been near the water – including drink bottles.  If you feel ill in the the two weeks after open water swimming, please see a doctor and advise them that you have been swimming in open water.
Helen