Open water swimming is a truly different experience to the pool, and one that all swimmers should try at least once! Without the confines of lane ropes or walls, it’s liberating, adventurous and unique.

Open water also appeals to the adrenalin-seekers. Competitive races are often frenetic and fierce, with swimmers hustling and bustling for position. Technically speaking, open water swimming takes place anywhere that isn’t a swimming pool. This means no man-made sides and bottom, and no lane ropes or black lines to follow. Open water venues include: Lakes, Rivers, Lochs, Seas and Reservoirs.

Most people find the freedom and lack of chemicals so invigorating they can’t help coming out of the water feeling happy and relaxed. It can leave you feeling invigorated and is known to boost your immune system. However, you do have to consider there are plants, fish and other things living in the water which add to the fun! You might also see open water swimming referred to as wild swimming or outdoor swimming.

Swim England has a long association with open water swimming and has run a national open water championship for more than 100 years. Competitive swimming at the Olympics traces its roots to competitions in the sea, lakes and rivers rather than pools, although modern open water swimming races tend to be held over longer distances than are swum in the pool.

The sport has increased in popularity since men’s and women’s 10km Marathon races were included in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing 2008. English swimmers Keri-anne Payne and Cassandra Patten won silver and bronze respectively for Team GB in Beijing.

Marathon races can take place in any large outdoor body of water: seas, lakes, rivers, canals, reservoirs. The distance of each event varies from 1km to 80km, but at major competitive level, the typical distances are 5km, 10km and 25km, and this year’s World Championships also saw the inclusion of relay races!

IMPORTANT! Always remember to “Swim Safe”

Every year, RNLI lifeguards and lifeboats race to the rescue of children and adults who find themselves in difficulty in and near the water.

In 2013, Swim England (the national governing body for swimming in England) and the RNLI (the charity that saves lives at sea) launched Swim Safe (https://swimsafe.org.uk/) to help children learn how to stay safe in and around open water – Swim England North East strongly urges all swimming enthusiasts to head over to the RNLI website to become familiar with their safety messaging and resources before considering venturing into open water.

Top tips for getting into open water swimming

1. You need to be a competent swimmer. Become a strong pool swimmer first then it’s a fairly simple transition into open water.
2. If you are competent, then practise for open water swimming in the pool. Check out our top tips for preparing in the pool for open water here.
3. Be honest with yourself about how fond you are of fish, slimy vegetation, and insects. Yes, you could see and feel them all. This is not a chlorine controlled pool environment.
4. Get into open water swimming with a friend. Swimming alone in open water is not recommended. The temperature and choppiness of the water can make things difficult.
5. Open water is cold, buy a wetsuit. They help insulate against the cold and keep you buoyant in open water. They are also great fun to wear.
6. If you have got the level where you are considering open water swimming you may want to think about joining a Masters Swimming Club.

Finding the right event for you

Open water races can take place in any large outdoor body of water. They are usually 5km, 10km, or 25km, but can be from 1km to 80km., and they are not just about the swimming. They often have a great social life around them making them a great day or weekend out. Have a look at them and choose one that suits you. We have listed two below that are good for beginners.

Great Swim

1. There are a five Great Swims: Ipswich, Lake District, London, Manchester and Strathclyde in Scotland.
2. Distances start at half a mile (806m) and go up to 2miles (3,219m).

Human Race Open Water Swims

1. There are six Human Race Open Water Swims: Poole, Marlow, Hampton Court, Windsor, and Eton.
2. Distances start at around half an mile (750m) and go up to 6.3miles (10km).
3. There is also a women’s only race held at Eton.

How to become an elite open water swimmer

If you are already a keen endurance swimmer in the pool and want to transfer this to open water, Swim England Open Water Talent have listed their top tips for becoming an elite open water swimmer. Take a look at the list below and ask yourself which you haven’t done, which you can improve on, and which you will achieve this season.

1. Become skilled and proficient in the pool environment.
2. Enter long distance pool events and improve your rankings in your age group.
3. Get some open water training in both the outdoor and pool environment with your club.
4. Enter any well-organised open water events to gain experience and confidence.
5. Ensure you are technically proficient racing in open water.
6. Enter your Regional Championships with the aim of finishing in the top three in your age group.
7. Compete in the National Championships, again aiming to finish in the top three in your age group.
8. If you don’t succeed in becoming recognised one year do not give up! Keep entering events, improving your technique, and improving your result at the Nationals.

Regional Talent Programme

The North East Region identifies the top thirty 12-16yr old open water swimmers every year and invites them to attend 2 training camps (1 in the pool and 1 in a lake). These camps usually take place during June when the pool competition calendar is free of Regional and National Championships. The aim of the camps is to equip swimmers with technical and tactical skills to help them to improve performance ahead of the main open water competitions in the summer.

England Talent Open Water

The highest level of support you can receive as an English swimmer is with Swim England Talent Open Water. The England Talent pathway includes opportunities for the top distance swimmers under the age of 22 to gain selection for:

• Open Water training camps
• Advice from national open water coaches
• Entry to certain international open water events

Selection for the Swim England Talent Open Water pathway is made from results at the National Age Group Championships and 1500m/800m English rankings. If you have achieved notable results in either of these, the Talent team will contact you directly and offer you a place at the appropriate level.

Selection for British international events

Selection for British events such as the European Junior Championships are made from qualifying events and at the discretion of the British Swimming selectors. Head to the British Swimming website to view the latest selection policies for these events.

Coaching the Open Water Swimming Awards

Swim England has developed three Open Water Swimming Awards aimed at anyone aged eight and above looking to improve their open water swimming. These awards are perfect for:

• teachers who want to add variety to lessons
• coaches who want to add variety to club sessions in the pool
• coaches of open water swimmers to help assess their swimmers’ skills
• open water operators to provide structure to their swimmer induction and sessions.

All three awards have dry side and water elements and can be delivered in open water. Awards 1 and 2 can also be delivered in the pool.

Awards 1 and 2 should be taught by fully-qualified teachers (Swim England Level 2 Teachers) or coaches (Swim England Swimming Coach). However, we recommend Award 3 is delivered by coaches who hold a Level 2 British Open Water or Level 2 Triathlon Coach qualification. You can find out more on the Swim England website by clicking on the image below:

Coaching the Open Water Swimming Awards

If you have any queries about Open Water swimming in the North East Region, please contact: louise.graham@swimnortheast.org.