Open Water Swimming
Our open water swims take place at Ladyburn Lake, Druridge Bay Country Park, NE61 5BX at the visitors' centre end of the lake.
We meet at 6.15pm on a Thursday evening during the open water swimming season on the grass next to the steps into the lake in front of the visitor centre.
You need to book your place in the session on SportMember. You'll need to bring your completed open water swimming questionnaire each year to your first swim of the season. Our swims are for club members only.
There is a compulsory pre- swim briefing at 6.25pm and the swim starts at 6.30pm. You must be out of the water by 7.30pm at the latest.
Open water swims are usually uncoached swims.
If we have Swim Bike Run leaders in attendance they may each lead a group of 8.
Wetsuits are compulsory for all club open water swims.
Please watch the following video about cold water shock:
https://youtu.be/pu6D7neGG14?si=FwoHsnfHc8wKQSUn
Each swim requires a safety team of 3 volunteers (lakeside marshal, safety kayak / SUP and first aider). We would ask as many members as possible to take their turn. Please read through the documentation below before taking your turn. Anyone operating a kayak or SUP will need to complete practice rescues before providing safety cover.
OWS questionnaire and fact sheet.pdf
OWS Roles and Responsibilities.pdf
OWS Water Safety team Briefing.pdf