MTC Open Water Swimming

45min session starting promptly at 6pm – 16 swim spaces

45min session starting promptly at 6.45pm – 16 swim spaces

Note: If you are training for a long distance swim and require a full 90mins of swimming please book and pay for the 1st session and then go back and book the second session as well – but then select offline payment (do not pay twice) and let Caroline know that you have done that. This means that you still only pay for one swim.

Please use this double-session only if you know you can make the swim session. If you can’t attend for any reason please cancel early enough for us to open up the spaces to others.

We will be relaxed about the finish time of the first session if numbers allow on the night.

If this system works well and fairly for all we’ll keep it going.

To participate there is a minimum requirement of being able to swim comfortably 800m front crawl or breaststroke in a swimming pool, non-stop. You will require a wetsuit if you are new to open water. 

Day: Mondays (except for Bank Holidays when we’ll move it to a different evening TBC)

Time: 6.00 to 6.45 and 6.45 to 7.30pm

Location: Liquid Skillz, Gore Tree Rd, Hemingford Grey, Huntingdon PE28 9BP

Swims cost £5 per person and must be booked in advance. We will have a maximum of 16 swimmers per timeslot.

Gates open at around 5.40pm and close by 8pm at the latest. Please remember that everyone running the sessions do so as volunteers and will have been on-site all evening. We love that everyone likes to socialise at these swims but please do so before the end of the swim time. We will give a 5 minute or last lap alert to swimmers, so that everyone is out on time.

Do not enter the water until safety craft are on the water and the coach instructs you to do so. There will be a briefing before the swim starts at 6pm, please pay attention to it. If thunder/lightning is forecast please check the club FB page for updates before attending the lake, as we may have to cancel the swims. We’ll do our best to post in good time if we have to make that decision.

Know your personal limits in terms of water temperature, experience and ability, how you feel on the day.

If you are new to OW please let us know and we’ll do a short induction for you at your first swim. To do this you will need to be at the start of the swim session for this first time. Or arrange a different time with the coach in advance (drop us a line).

All new swimmers will need to use a wetsuit. Please limit your first swims in OW to small laps or just one full lap. Booties, gloves and neoprene hat are all useful when it’s cooler. You must use a brightly coloured swim hat.

Experienced swimmers can opt for skins.

If you feel unwell please swim with caution, it’s difficult to get to the side in an emergency. Either stay very close to the edge or do small loops or take the night off. 

Tow floats are required for ALL swimmers this year please, unless we state otherwise. They can be found cheaply online. You don’t need anything fancy. If you forget your tow float I have a few to lend out.

Remember: towels, dry clothes, changing robe/dry robe is useful, you may want flip flops to wear to and from the water.  Wetsuit, well fitting goggles, bright coloured swim hat (not black, grey or white), swimsuit or trisuit for under your wetsuit, tow float.

Thank you to all the safety crew and coaches supporting the swims.

See you at the lake, 

Please book and follow the link through to pay on Paypal. If you have any issues with the booking then please let me know so I can sort it out and also make sure there are no duplicate bookings (which can make the session look booked up even when it isn’t!)

DISCLAIMER:

The 2024 OW disclaimer is linked below which needs to be completed by all swimmers before their first 2024 MTC OW session and either brought along on the evening or emailed to Alice.

MTC OW Disclaimer 2024