The session runs at the sports lake at Hinchingbrooke Country Park from 18:00 – 19:30. Swimmers can get into the lake at any time before 19:00 and should be out by 19:30. Swimming in the lake is not permitted at any other time.
We have spotters on the lake side and (usually) a kayaker in the water for your safety.
Please volunteer to support the swims
Each week, we need three volunteers. Please sign up to help >on the Google sheet here<.
We meet at the Canoe Club canoe store, by the wooden bridge on Chestnut Avenue.
Open water swimming is a fantastic experience but it does come with safety issues. Failure to abide by the code of conduct may result in having your membership revoked. The session leader will check you in and out of the lake and have the overall say on when and where you can swim. Bad weather conditions may prevent the swim sessions from going ahead right up to the session start, and may cause cancellation during the session (e.g. due to lightning).
For further information please contact the Lake Swim Coordinator.
Please read the code of conduct below to ensure you have a safe and enjoyable swim.
- All swimmers MUST be able to swim 250m without stopping before swimming in the lake.
- Please pay special attention to the briefing given by the safety representative before you enter the water.
- You must sign in on arrival and must be an active fully paid up member. Non-members are not permitted to swim.
- As soon as you exit the water, you must sign out so the person in charge knows you are out.
- Wetsuits are compulsory if the water temperature is below 16°C, unless you are training for cross channel swimming. If the temperature is 16°C or above, wetsuits are optional.
- Brightly coloured swim hats (not black) are compulsory, and towfloats are highly recommended.
- For your own safety please swim in pairs or small groups.
- Swim in a clockwise direction and keep the buoys to your right and try not to swim directly down the middle of the lake, this is to avoid people swimming into each other.
- Please take time to look at the lake and take note of landmarks you can sight when swimming.
- Keep a look out for other swimmers and stay alert at all times.
- When entering the water keep a look out for any object in the water that might cause harm.
- Minor cuts and abrasions must be covered up with a plaster, if you have deep cuts do not swim.
- Please do not swim if you are unwell.
- If you become unwell after open water swimming please see your GP and state you have been swimming in open water.
- Try not to ingest any water and after swimming it is good practice not to eat until you have washed your hands.
- If at any point you get into trouble while swimming, roll onto your back, wave and shout for attention.
Note, we do not test for water quality.
