Open Water Swimming

Our Online Booking System is now available – Please click here to book

Winter Swimming Timetable from October 1st 2023 – April 30th 2024

Monday 17.30-18.45 hrs

Tuesday 09.45-11.00 hrs

Thursday 09.45 -11.00 hrs

Saturday 08.00-09.15 & 09.45-11.00 hrs

Evening Sessions require all swimmers to illuminate their Tow Floats and heads-

A torch, bike light, in or secured onto Tow Float

A head torch under hat, or adventure/ bike light fixed onto back of hat or on goggle strap

The water safety team need to see you to ensure your safety, the more we can see you the more we can keep you safe.  

Plus

Winter Solstice Sunrise and Sunset Swims

Boxing Day Swim

New Years Day Swim

Please remember when Winter Swimming to allow time for the Afterdrop and Reheat, although you may be in the water for up to 30 minutes or one hour please allow additional time to warm up thoroughly before driving . The Warm room will be available for Reheats

As our regular winter swimmers know safety is key to all Winter Swimming Sessions

It is important to us that all swimmers are fully informed , understand how  your body may respond to cold water and what measures to take prior , during and post swim to look after yourself, others and get maximum benefit from each cold water swim. 

We will host one hour Theory Winter O W Information Sessions, £25  and  two hour Theory and Practical Winter OW Sessions, £35. Dates and time will be added to Booking Page during August Book here

If you have previously attended a Winter Open Water Info session you may like to refresh your knowledge by completing our Cold Water Revision Certificate. https://lencheslakes.co.uk/cold-water-swimming-revision-certificate/

Advance online booking is essential for swim sessions  and all swimmers are required  to complete the online Swimmers Responsibility Statement before your first swim. This form only needs to be completed once.

Online Bookings and Payment in advance only – . Please do not arrive on site without pre booking and paying, there is no facility for refunds for missed or late arrivals.

 All swimmers are required to have their own medical ID Band, we use the Sports Guardian Wristband’. Please click here

We scan your band when you enter and exit the lake  hence the band  is  a ‘safety tracker’, whilst you are in the water . Most importantly it is  your own personal ‘medical ID’ band for any activity you chose. The wristband is not limited to swimming only, anything – running, cycling, walking, supermarket shopping!  There is a ‘one-off’ cost for the wristband, but no annual subscription or membership fees – the band is yours and will only need replacing if it is lost or damaged. For Occasional visitors and guests – we have Guest Sports Guardian  available to hire at £2 per session.

Rescheduling, Cancellation and Refunds

Please note we do not offer Cancellation or Missed Session Refunds. However you may reschedule your swim session up to 24 hours in advance.

To reschedule

  1. Go to your account dashboard and select ORDERS
  2. Scroll down until you see the Reschedule Button – nb this will not appear if it is too late to reschedule
  3. Click on the button and follow the instructions to reschedule

Occasional Guests

We welcome guests and realise the practicality of attending a Winter Swimming Information Session  prior to their visit is difficult. We ask all guests to be experienced open water swimmers who have been We welcome ‘guest swimmers’ to Lenches Lakes and all we ask is that they can swim at least 50 metres with minimal difficulty and can also ‘tread water’ when needed, as they will be out of their depth at times around the lake. Guests will not need to purchase a ‘swim wristband’ as ‘guest wristbands’ will be available, however there will be a small charge for this.

Changing

Changing to take place lakeside, tented changing area or in warm room (limited space) if bad weather.  

We do not have separate changing areas for male and female

Please bear in mind we do not have lockers, please do not bring valuable items, or use a tow float with dry bag incorporated for phones/keys/wallets, or lock valuables in car.

Toilets and showers – are available. Showers cost £1 which provides you with hot water for up to 4 minutes.

Swimmers

All swimmers must wear a bright hat and  if not wearing a wetsuit, a Tow Float must be worn . Tow Floats can be hired for £2.50 per person per swim session.

Pre / Post Swim

  ADVICE   REASON  
 Pre Swim
Cover open wounds
Do not swim if feeling unwell
 To prevent microbial access to the body If the immune system is suppressed by illness you are more susceptible to infection
 Advised not to swim wearing contact lenses  Risk in ANY water including tap water of Acanthamoeba Keratitis
 Post Swim Wash hands before eating or drinking (or use sterilising wipes/gels)  To reduce the risk of ingesting pathogenic microbes
 Shower in fresh water at the earliest opportunity  To remove all microbes, many of which are able to survive on the skin surface for long periods
 Rinse and wash all kit in fresh water before drying thoroughly – including wetsuit, goggles, swimming costume  To remove all microbes and potentially prevent toxin concentration in/on the item that can cause skin irritations and eye infections
 Seek medical advice if you feel ill or develop symptoms including rashes for up to 3 weeks following your swim – highlighting that you have been swimming in open water (and where) It can take up to 3 weeks for the symptoms of Weil’s Disease to develop.
 Sharing information can help identify the source and nature of the problem and the most effective treatment. It can also help identify problems with particular bodies of water 

Junior Policy

Swimmers under 18 years of age

Lenches Lakes supports the provision of open water swimming opportunities for children who wish to participate from the age they are confident and competent swimmers.

 Under 12 years

  • Parent/legal guardian permission, Swimmer Responsibility Registration document signed and completed by parent/guardian
  • A competency test1 by session leader on duty.
  • The swimmer being accompanied in and out of the water by a responsible adult aged 18 or over

12 – 16 years

Participation is subject to:

  • Parent/legal guardian permission, Swimmer Responsibility Registration document signed and completed by parent/guardian
  • A competency test1 by Session Leader on duty.
  • The swimmer being accompanied on site by a responsible adult aged 18 or over

16 – 18 years

Participation is subject to:

  • Parent/legal guardian permission, Swimmer Responsibility Registration document signed and completed by parent/guardian
  • A competency test1 by Session Leader on duty.

All Juniors are required to;          

  • Swim with a Tow Float
  • Wear a bright hat
  • Juniors required to to wear wetsuits – swim technical wetsuits. These wetsuits are designed specifically to enhance the swimmers body position, overall comfort, provides buoyancy and insulation. Juniors tend to cool more rapidly than adults having more insulation allows for a longer and safer swim time.
  • Swimmer must have previous Open Water experience and/or strong Club Swimmer
  • Each junior if unknown to Safety Team will be assessed for competency by Session Leader.
  • If Session Leader deems them to be a high-risk swimmer the swimmer will be asked to leave the lake.
  • Parent/legal guardian permission, Swimmer Responsibility Registration document signed and completed by parent/guardian
  • The swimmer being accompanied on site by a responsible adult aged 18 or over

Lifeguards or Land Based safety team will politely ask weak swimmers to leave the session or restrict swimmer to acclimatisation area if swimmer safety is comprised.

Disability Swimming

The course design will not require change for swimmers with walking difficulties. Access via regular entry

We look forward to welcoming you to the Winter Swim Season.