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WA Open Water Swimming (14yrs+) - Single session

Booking notes:

  • Swimmers under 18yrs are only able to book on Monday Swims (NOT Wed/Sat Tri-Anglia swims)
  • Bookings close: Weekdays - 2hrs before session, Weekends - 16:00 Friday before
  • Please see individual calendar dates for swims distance and pricing.
  • This course is to book single swim session/s - If interested in booking on Monday block booking of sessions (includes a free session) click here

Based within Whitlingham Country Park on the edge of Norwich; Whitlingham Adventure is Norfolk's largest open water swimming venue and hosts regular summer season swimming as well as the Norwich Triathlon, Universities National Triathlon and Swim England Eastern region open water championships. Safety covered open water swimming is provided over marker buoyed course lengths of 100-800m (see individual dates for distances). Event/race distances with partnered providers of 750m, 1500m, 1 mile and 2 miles (events require registration with relevant partnered provider such as: Tri-Anglia Triathlon Club or Swim England Junior Swimming). 

The centre has changing rooms, shower facilities, bike parking by entrance and vehicle parking available in nearby Whitlingham Country Park Lime Avenue car park (pay and display). Further details and monthly/annual parking permits available here.

Swimmers may swim for as long as they wish around the marked course/s but must have exited the water before the session end time. Changing rooms are available for a further 15 minutes after session end. 

PLEASE BE AWARE:

  1. It is a requirement of insurance that you receive a safety briefing from a Whitlingham Adventure staff member on your first swim of the season at Whitlingham Adventure, it is your responsibility to inform us if this is the case.
  2. Wednesday & Saturday swims are subject a maximum numbers of swimmers in the water and therefore operate a one in, one out system once that maximum number is reached.
  3. Wednesday/Saturday swims require that swimmers hand in a photo ID card in exchange for a swim band that is worn whilst swimming (this is so swimmer numbers in the water can be safely managed) - NO ID, NO SWIM
  4. Wednesday & Saturday swims are adult (18+) only
  5. Wednesday/Saturday swims require a bright YELLOW swim hat must be worn (some spares are available at the centre on these days if required, please ask prior to entering water)
  6. Wednesday & Saturday swims may have mini-events such as duathlon/End2End swim in addition to the normal swim BUT these events are only open to Tri-Anglia members and must be booked via their website

Audience -

  • May-Aug Mondays: 14+ years (under 16yrs must wear swim float AND a wetsuit PLUS must have a responsible adult present onsite during their swim);
  • All other dates are delivered in partnership with Tri-Anglia Club and are therefore for 18+ years only

­­­­­­Pre-requisites - Suitable swimming ability for the distance planned and confidence in natural open water. It is advisable that you are able to swim in a pool environment at least 3x the distance you plan to swim outside.

Distance:

  • Mondays: 100m warm-up triangle & 250m rectangular course
  • Wednesdays/Saturdays: 100m warm-up triangle & 400m rectangular course
  • Some Wednesdays/Saturdays in Late May/June: 100m warm-up triangle, 400m rectangular course & 800m rectangular course, see individual dates for details

    Safety notes:
  • By booking, you are agreeing to wear either a wetsuit or a swim float whilst swimming at Whitlingham (mandatory for all public swimmers) 
  • A brightly coloured swim hat must be worn (so swimmers are easily visible to safety team and powerboats) - On Wed/Sat this hat must be YELLOW.
  • Swimmers must check in before entering the water - Wed/Sat it may help to explain you are a public booking (rather than a club member)
  • Swimmers must check out immediately on exiting the water
  • Swimmers must follow the marker buoyed course and safety team instructions (including if a full water evacuation is required in event of an emergency).
  • Swimming backstroke is not allowed (increases the likelihood of swimmer collisions and could be mistaken for a swimmer in distress).
  • There is no facility available for diving starts; the water near the lake edge is shallow and has a gravel pit bottom.
  • Be considerate of other swimmers, they may not be as confident as they appear.
  • If you need to stop and rest, please do so a few metres to the side of the swim line (so other swimmers do not collide with you)
  • Do not rest or stop near buoys (unless an emergency) as collisions are likely.
  • Swim well within your limits. Unlike pool swimming there is no easy means of exiting the water.
  • If you need assistance float on you back and wave an arm so that the swim team may see
  • After pro-longed immersion in open water; a warmish shower and 20-30mins to re-acclimatise your body is advised, to prevent sharp blood pressure changes that may impact safety to drive.

 

Wetsuits

  • Wetsuits are strongly advised (they provide both warmth, buoyancy and can be life saving in an emergency) AND are manadatory on Wed+ Sat when water is colder than 14 celcius (typically Oct-Apr only)
  • Generic centre wetsuits or some limited swim floats can be hired for £5/swim (subject to availability)
  • Where experienced open water swimmers wish to swim with non-wetsuits: self-provided swim floats are mandatory, shorter distances and warmer water temperatures are advised.
  • Decision to allow individual or group non-wetsuit swimming will be made by swim manager on the day and suitable swim floats must be worn


Please refer to the calendar to book

Whitlingham Adventure is a Beyond Swim and AdventureMark registered venue; Norfolk's largest provider of SwimSafe and new British Canoeing Swimmer Safety and Rescue Course schemes.

TriAnglia Triathlon Club
Further open water swimming opportunities at Whitlingham are available with TriAnglia Triathlon club members on Saturday mornings and Wednesday evenings (Summer only).
Trianglia runs regular swimming in both summer and winter and members can access discounted annual parking passes.

Triharder
Triharder is a Norfolk based Triathlon shop in Dereham providing all things Triathlon including open water swimming wetsuits, goggles, changing robes and swim floats.

Triharder runs annual come and try open water swim sessions at Whitlingham Adventure in May

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