Open water swimming is one of the fastest growing UK participant sports with people of all ages enjoying the activity. It refers to swimming in open outdoor bodies of water, including lakes, rivers, reservoirs, and the sea. Many people find it is wonderful for their mental wellbeing as well as keeping them physically fit.
Take a look below at some venue’s where you can have a go at open water swimming in Lincolnshire, and some links to local clubs and groups. We’ve also put a link to some important safety advice down below.
Venues
Lincolnshire Aqua Park, Mablethorpe
Lincolnshire Aquapark Open Water Swimming Club are made up of mixed ability of members, ranging from absolute beginners and recreational swimmers to triathletes and long distance ice swimmers! The club welcomes new members and wetsuit hire if free for your first swim.
The park also has a fun aqua park challenge with inflatables, and also offers paddle boarding and kayaking.
Activities Away, North Hykeham
Swim outdoors in a lake created on the site of an old gravel pit that is a 1/4 mile long. The lake has 800 m and 200 m buoyed circuits with ‘get out’ points every 200 m around the main circuit.
Wetsuit hire is available as well as on site professional coaching, a cafe for a well deserved hot drink and snack post swim.
The swim club has a winter and summer season, and you’ll need to sign up as a member to book sessions. Activities away welcome people to book appointments to come and see the venue before signing up.
Ocean Walker Academy, West Lindsay
Built on the edge of the Lincolnshire Wolds Ocean Walker Academy offers open water swimming in a purpose built 7 acre lake, with a shallow beginners area for novice swimmers to enjoy and a deeper area for the more experienced.
The venue offers taster sessions which are perfect for those without open water swimming experience, or anyone wanting a refresher if they haven’t had a go for a while.
Tallington Lakes, South Kesteven
This water activities centre offers open water swimming on Sunday mornings. The lake has 205 acres of clean spring fed water, and they also offer a variety of water sports including water skiing, wakeboarding, canoeing and paddle boarding.
Clubs and Groups
Tattershall Open Water Swimmers are an informal, friendly and experienced group of like minded people who enjoy swimming in an open water environment at all times through the year. Find out more about them and get in touch via their facebook page.
Lincolnshire Outdoor Swimming Tribe LOST is a online group for outdoor swimmers for Lincolnshire (and surrounding areas) and of any ability. Join the group for advice and to share experiences and achievements. Visit the facebook group page.
Lincolnshire AMA
Find out more about Lincolnshire Amateur Swimming Association on their website Open Water – Lincs ASA (lincolnshirecountyasa.org)
Jubilee Park Lido
Not ready to take the plunge? If you’re not quite ready to brave swimming in open water, why not try swimming at Jubilee Park Lido. This heated Lido, is open Easter to September, with open sessions, and aqua fit classes. They also run a cold water swimming week later in the year.
Find out More
Read more about open water swimming on Swim England’s website
Safety Advice
It’s important to be safe and aware of the risks of open water swimming, particularly if you are not swimming somewhere with a lifeguard. You should be a confident swimmer to have a go at open water swimming. If you are new to it, swimming with a club or at a venue such as the ones listed above, are the safest ways to get started.
Take a look at this Safety Advice from Swim England
How To Stay Safe In Open Water | Swim England Open Water (swimming.org)