MTC Open Water Swimming

DISCLAIMER: https://www.meridiantriclub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/MTC-OW-Waiver_2026.pdf

Do try to lift share where possible. The lake is approximately 30-35 minutes from Royston along the A1198.

One session from 18.00 to 19.30 – 20 places available

A few key things to remember:

Please bring a changing robe to change under (no nudity please).

YOU will require a tow float AND a brightly coloured hat at every session whether wetsuit or skins. Please bring both items with you.

You must be able to swim approx. 800m non-stop (front crawl or breaststroke) to swim in these sessions. You don’t need to be fast.

Please ensure that you have any cuts to skin covered up with waterproof dressings. If you have cracked heels or broken skin on your feet please use waterproof dressings AND use watersports booties/soft shoes to swim. This is for your protection.

Please bring layers to warm up in after your swim (needed at start and end of the season when water and air temp are usually cooler). Hat/gloves/warm sock advisable at some points of the season and weather conditions may also require this.

Bring a bottle of water for drinking and also to rinse your hands – reduces the risk of picking up a waterborne disease.

GENERAL BRIEFING:

You are required to listen to any safety information at the start of the session.

You can only enter the water when all safety is in place and instructed to do so by the lead Coach/safety crew.

Water temperature will be displayed at the sign-in.

Always follow the instructions of the safety team/coach.

You must supply us with an emergency contact number for someone who might miss you if you don’t return home that evening. If we think you are missing at any time during the session or you have a medical emergency we will phone your contact number.

It is your responsibility to sign in and out of the water – doing this helps us know who is in the water and if they have left the session.

If the weather changes dramatically or if we experience a thunder storm we may evacuate the lake. We will whistle repeatedly to get your attention and you must evacuate the lake by the nearest point and then walk back to the swim start.

If you get into difficulty follow this procedure:

• Roll onto your back and breathe normally (the wetsuit will help you float and you can hug your tow float too)
• You may find this is enough to allow you to start swimming again, if not…
• Float on your back and raise one arm and wave with a closed fist.
• Shout to gain attention
• If you can, kick gently to move closer to a kayak or the lake edge
• If approached by a kayak please hold the end of the kayak, not the side.

If you spot someone in difficulty please do not approach them, as they may panic and put both of you in danger. Instead:

• Call to the kayaker for help
• Talk to the swimmer calmly and remind them about roll onto their back, breathing, kicking gently to the side.
• If you feel you do need to approach them do so from behind and support their shoulders/head.

If you decide to walk/run the path around the lake this is at your own risk, unless we are organising a swim/run or aquathlon. If you do go for a walk/run please let us know and also be off-site one time. We lock the gates as we leave, so you may get locked in if we don’t know your plans.

Swims are £5 per session