Whitlingham Adventure Open Water Swimming (14yrs+) - Single session

This course is to book a single swim session - If interested in booking a block booking of sessions (includes a half-price session) click here

Based within Whitlingham Country Park on the edge of Norwich; Whitlingham Adventure provides safety covered open water swimming over marker buoyed course lengths of 100m, 250m and 400m. Event distances with partnered providers of 800m, 1500m, 1 mile and 2 miles.

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.

Please see individual calendar dates for session details and pricing. Partner swims and event details can be found following links below.

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

Whitlingham Adventure is Norfolk's largest open water swimming venue and hosts the Norwich Triathlon, Universities National Triathlon and Swim England Eastern region open water championships.

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.

Audience - 14+ years (under 16yrs must wear swim float AND a wetsuit PLUS must have a responsible adult present onsite during swim)
 

­­­­­­Pre-requisites - Suitable swimming ability for the distance planned and confidence in natural open water.

Distance: 100m warm-up triangle & 250m rectangular course

Safety notes:

• Either wetsuit or swim float must be worn
• A brightly coloured swim hat must be worn (so swimmers are visible to safety team)
• Swimmers must check in before entering the water
• 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 warm shower and 20-30mins to re-acclimatise your body is advised, to prevent sharp blood pressure/blood glucose changes that may impact ability to drive.

Wetsuits

• Wetsuits are strongly advised (they provide both warmth, buoyancy and can be life saving in an emergency).
• Generic centre wetsuits 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


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