Outdoor swimming taster
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What you'll do
Discover the amazing benefits of wild swimming for your body and mind and understand how to read open water safely, as you experience swimming in a beautiful marine lake.
If you’ve heard about the benefits of wild swimming and are curious about trying it yourself, this is the experience for you. In an hour-long taster swim for up to four people, you’ll discover everything you need to know about swimming in the bracing outdoors. Your host will be Rowan Clarke, a qualified open water coach, swimming teacher and experienced outdoor swimmer. Rowan will guide you by the water’s edge at Clevedon Marine Lake, before you take to the water - all the while getting tips and tricks for building your confidence.
This experience is best enjoyed on your own, or with a small group of two to four people with similar goals. You might be completely new to outdoor swimming, or you might have tried it before and want tips on improving your breathing and stroke from an expert.
The weather and water conditions are part of the joy of swimming outdoors. But expect a postponement if it's forecast to rain heavily, blow a gale, or if there's thunder and lightning. The water quality in Clevedon Marine Lake is tested regularly, and if there's a pollution incident, then your experience will be postponed.
Upcoming dates
Facilities
- Wheelchair accessible
- Parking
- Outdoors
COVID-19 guidelines
- Please stick to current government guidance in terms of who is in your group and bring hand sanitiser
- Make sure that you have all your own kit as restrictions mean it can’t be provided
- You will need to confirm that you and everybody you live with are symptom-free. If you have symptoms of Covid-19, please let Rowan know as soon as possible and the experience can be postponed
- In case of a first aid emergency, there will be extra kit including disposable gloves and a CPR mask
On the day
- Your experience will be at Clevedon Marine Lake. It's a tidal pool in the town of Clevedon filled with seawater from the Bristol Channel
- Please bring: swimwear, swim hat, large towel(s), lots of warm layers and a warm drink for after your swim
- There is paid parking in the Salthouse Fields car park (six disabled bays). Disabled access is reasonable - expect a couple of slopes in the 300 metres between the car park and lake, but the terrain is smooth tarmac
Changes happen, don't worry
About Outdoor Swim Coach
Outdoor swimming has always been part of Rowan's life. Her family holidays were always in and around water and she swam in the sea, lakes, streams and rivers in the UK from early childhood. Open water swimming is very special: a unique activity, with a wonderful community and seemingly endless benefits for your health and well-being. Through her experiences, Rowan helps people build their confidence in the open water, to help them enjoy the many benefits of swimming outdoors.
Your host
Rowan did her first official open water swim in 2015, the Great North Swim in Lake Windermere. Since then, she has taken part in the Dart 10k, Bournemouth Pier to Pier and Winter Swimming World Championships. She is now a swim coach, running open water experiences for anyone who'd like to discover more and get out in the open water at the beautiful Clevendon Marine Lake.
How to get there
Any questions?
Ask your question directly to Outdoor Swim Coach.