Our 2024/2025 OWS Winter Season is now open for sessions. Please note that these are Adult Sessions only. We welcome members who wish to continue their OWS training throughout the winter months or those who wish to enjoy the benefits of a cold water dip. Please find information below or if you have any queries that aren’t answered here, please contact winterOWS@tri-anglia.co.uk.
As for our summer swim training, these sessions rely on volunteer assistants. If you are able to volunter as Swim Manager, Helper, or Kayak Marshall, please do this on the OWS Volunteer Rota page.
The OWS Winter Swims will follow on immediately after the last summer session, with the first “Winter” session being on Saturday 12th October 2024, between 11:00 to 12:00 (look carefully at each session sign up page to confirm the time).
For the first few sessions there will be little difference in water temperature to the “summer” swims, and the usual 400m course will remain in use. Each week the water will gradually become colder, so these sessions give all the perfect opportunity to acclimatise to the cold: Each week that you get in, you may notice it is slightly cooler than the last week, but as you will have been swimming regularly, you will cope with it easily – Hey presto – you are acclimatised to the cold water. Once the water temp drops below around 12oC, we will use the shorter (150m) diamond course.
These sessions will follow the same procedures as the summer swims (as detailed below), with some subtle differences.
- We encourage members to join these sessions to benefit from the physical and mental health benefits that cold water swimming/dipping delivers. We request that attendees must be able to swim competently (minimum 100m) and we recommend that attendees have been regularly swimming throughout the autumn and winter so that they are acclimatised to cold water.
- The 75m triangle will be available to swim around in an anti-clockwise direction.
- Beyond the triangle there will be an additional single bouy further into the lake, making a diamond course of approximately 150m for one loop, for those who want to swim a bit further.
- There will be a “Dippers Area” to the left of the 75m loop as you look from the deck across the lake, for people who just want to dip rather than swim.
- There will be the option of using the black ramp situated on the left hand side of the lake (as you look from the deck across the lake) for access and egress to the lake, to allow slower acclimatisation and easier egress from the water. If you use the ramp make sure you take your towel and dry gear to the ramp and leave them close to the waters edge – so you can dry and warm yourself as soon as you are out.
- Those who want to access or egress from the deck as normal still can, but be wary that this will be more difficult because of the cold (and the deeper water in Winter).
- The coloured swim cap system will remain as for the summer swims with the additional category of “warm hat” (bobble hat, wooly hat, etc), so please bring an appropriate coloured cap or hat as appropriate (there will be some swim caps available to borrow or buy), but ‘dippers’ must bring their own warm hat;
- Red = Wetsuit
- Purple = Novice
- Green = Skins
- Warm hat (bobble hat etc) = Dipper (will not immerse the head and will keep in the dippers area only)
NOTE: If you wish to go around the course you must have the appropriate coloured swim cap on; dippers in wooly hats will not be permitted on the swim course (request of WA OEC staff).
8. In the event that the Great Broad is unavailable, we may use the Little Broad. In this instance we will still change on the deck, there will be a short walk to the Little Broad entrance where the registration desk will take your card and exchange for a band. Please bring suitable footwear (swim socks, sliders, etc) for the short walk, and warm clothes for after, these may be left with the team at the registration desk. After the swim, return to the centre to warm up, change and have a hot drink and biccies.
Minimum kit = swim costume, appropriate coloured swim cap (or woolly hat for dippers), foot covering for the walk to the ramp (such as swim socks, flip flops, crocs, etc). Do not forget your MEMBERSHIP CARD!
Suggested additional kit = second swim hat or swim hood – must be beneath appropriate coloured cap, googles, swim vest, wetsuit, swim socks or boots, gloves, ear plugs, tow float.
FAQ
• Must I wear a Wetsuit? – No..!! It is entirely optional! The idea is to have a chill swim or dip that is good for you and your wellbeing. We do not require a signed form for a skins swim as we do for the summer. By signing up for this session you are agreeing to be solely responsible for your choice of swim attire and that you will be following the guidance provided by the Outdoor Swimming Society as we have provided on the sign up page.
• Will there be a marked course? On the Great Broad we will have the 400m course until the water temperature drops to below 12oC. Then a short 75m triangle course (the summer warm up course) and a slightly longer 150m diamond will be available for those that want it. If we use the Little Broad shorter courses of c.580m, 440m, 220m and 50m (dippers area) will be available.
• Can I just dip? Absolutely, but this needs to be in the designated “Dippers’ Area”.
• Must I wear a swim cap? If you are going around the triangle or diamond course then yes you must wear the appropriate coloured swim cap. If you are dipping you can wear a warm wooly hat but you must remain in the dippers area and you cannot go onto the triangle or diamond course without the appropriate coloured swim cap.
• Will there be kayak cover? – Yes, kayak safety cover will be in place proportionate to participants. If you wish to volunteer as a kayak marshall, please add your name to the OWS Volunteer Rota page: you will need to have completed the appropriate training. Please email winterOWS@tri-anglia.co.uk for more information.
• Anything else? There is a dry and sheltered changing area available on the deck or designated male and female changing rooms with warm showers (see point xi below). There will be hot drinks, biscuits, and a warm cabin (usually Cabin No.3) for warming up afterwards.
POST SWIM RECOMMENDATIONS:
IMPORTANT – Warm up slowly and gradually.
i. Keep your swim hat on until the point that you are immediately ready to put on your dry warm hat (this helps conserve body heat whilst you dry and dress).
ii. To minimise the risk of afterdrop, dress immediately starting with the top half of your body.
iii. Dry yourself off ASAP – remove all wet layers and pat yourself dry. When dealing with a cold person always remove all their wet things.
iv. Layer up: in thermals, wool jumpers, insulated jackets, woolly hat and gloves, long coats, dry robes are great, or an old dressing gown. Silver foil blankets do not help swimmers – unlike runners, for example, swimmers are not radiating heat post swim, so there is no escaping heat for the silver foil blanket to trap.
v. Stand on something as you change if the banks are cold to avoid losing more heat from your feet – a changing mat, or wooden bath mat.
vi. Sip a warm drink: this helps warm the body gently from the inside.
vii. Eat something: we have plenty of biscuits available, sugar will help raise body temperature (not suitable for hypothermic swimmers).
viii. Sit in a warm environment, we have cabin No.3 which will be nice and warm and cosy.
ix. If you feel okay, walk around to generate body heat. It can take some time to warm properly.
x. If you feel unwell at this stage, sit down somewhere warm and let the TA Swim Manager or the WA Staff know.
xi. Hot baths and showers can be tricky: they may make affect blood pressure and make you feel faint and unwell. A key is to have them warm, but not hot. The showers at Whitlingham have thermostatic valves so they can be as cold as you like!
xii. We recommend that you do not drive or cycle until you have fully warmed through, which may take around 30 minutes from after you changed into dry warm clothes.
Tri-Anglia’s Risk Assessment for the winter swim sessions can be accessed here – TA Cold Water Swim Risk Assessment
THE LITTLE BROAD
We may need to change the location for the swim to the Little Broad. This is a short walk from the deck where you normally change, and you will collect your band in exchange for your card at the desk temporarily set up at the Little Broad Entrance.
Course options:
a. Dippers area around a buoyed lane approx. 25m out and 25m back.
b. Anti-clockwise course around 6 yellow buoys approx. 580m including entry out to the course and back. Note each additional lap anti-clockwise course around 6 yellow buoys approx. 440m per lap.
c. Anti-clockwise course around 4 yellow buoys approx. 380m including start to the course and back. Note each additional lap anti-clockwise course around 4 yellow buoys approx. 240m per lap
Happy cold dipping !
Katt, Richard, Julia and Paul – Winter OWS Managers
This page outlines the normal operating procedure for the Whitlingham Adventure (WA) provided Winter Open Water Swim Sessions for Tri-Anglia Triathlon Club. This page should be used in conjunction with WA Emergency Action Plan.
2024/25 Procedures: How To Book
Book Your Slot – IMPORTANT
All swims must be pre-booked and paid for on the website. Go to the Training -> Adult Training Sessions Page then click on the green ATTEND button.
Numbers will only be limited by the kayak cover in place. At busy times, swimmers may have to wait for an earlier swimmer to exit the water before they can start their swim, but we will do our best to get the numbers right.
Online bookings for the coming month will be opened up before the end of the previous month. Once sessions are full there will be a waiting list so if you sign up and then decide to cancel you may do so without charge up to 6pm the night before your swim. Keep your eyes on your Junk/spam email inbox as a lot of our automated waiting list confirmations are going to spam!
We will always aim to post on the club Facebook page when sessions are open to book.
No members to turn up to a session without booking.
Session Costs & Payment
Each swim costs £6 and the payment will be initiated following members signing up for a swim. Payment for sessions will be automatically taken via GoCardless Direct Debit. You will be notified by email that a payment will be attempted. Please ensure you have set up your GoCardless Direct Debit payment for training sessions. You can check to see if you have a valid Direct Debit set up by going to your Session Payments page.
2024/25 Procedures: What To Do On Arrival
Location and Parking
The swim starts from Whitlingham Adventure (WA), Trowse, Norwich, NR14 8TR, which is the series of cabins under the large white canopy at the end of the largest Broad.
Members who drive to Whitlingham are encouraged to park in the Whitlingham Country Park car parks rather than on Whitlingham Lane. In fact parking on Whitlingham Lane within the park will incur a fine and parking elsewhere on Whitlingham Lane leads to congestion. Tri-Anglia members are able to buy a year’s cark parking at a discounted rate, application forms from RCP Parking Ltd, 15 The Close, Norwich NR1 4DZ, or any enquires to cp@rcpparking.com. You must be able to show proof of current membership.
For more information: Parking (whitlinghamcountrypark.com)
Changing
Please change before signing in, do not leave any equipment in the changing rooms. There is limited space on the deck to leave personal belongings, so please be mindful of others and their space. Put your bag in a clear area / locker / table space on the deck.
Check in and check out
Once ready to swim go to the sign in desk, hand over your membership card and collect a numbered wristband which must be worn at all times whilst in the water.
All swimmers must have their membership card which will be exchanged for a numbered wristband and placed in the correspondingly numbered pouch in the swimmers file. Upon exiting the water the swimmer must immediately return the band and retrieve their membership card. This will enable the OWS manager to check all swimmers in and out of the water and ensure that we hold appropriate medical and emergency contact details for those in the lake
NO CARD = NO SWIM
Check out the safety information / water temperature on the board. If you are new to the lake, make yourself known to the TA Swim Manager who will be able to talk you through normal operating procedures.
Put on your swim hat (in the appropriate colour) and enter the water from the deck.
What you will need
You need your:
- membership card,
- Wetsuit (or exemption form)
- a red, purple or green swimming hat or a wooly hat if you only wish to dip (SEE SWIM HAT SECTION FOR WHICH COLOUR TO BRING)
Wetsuits:
Are compulsory for the summer swims, unless a signed exemption form is in place for the individual. Copies of all completed exemption forms are held in the TA OWS file during the season. The non-wetsuit swimmers will be provided with details of water temperature at sign-in. Water must be 14 degrees or over for a non- wetsuit swim to be permitted. The non-wet suit swimmer must wear a Green hat.
Any swimmer signed off the previous year will be carried forward to the next year, all others swimmers will need to register as a non-wetsuit swimmer.
Swimming Caps:
A swim cap must be worn when swimming in the lake with specific colours indicating the following:
- Red swim hat indicates a regular wetsuit swimmer partaking in normal swim session activities.
- Purple swim hat indicates juniors and novice open water swimmers.
- Green swim hat indicates an approved non-wetsuit swimmer.
- Wooly/Bobble hat for Winter OWS Dippers only (those not wishing to swim the marked course)
- Other colours to be used to indicate other special requirements such as tethered swimmers and visually impaired swimmers. Use of other colours to be communicated to the WA Duty Manager by the TA Swim Manager.
- Members should bring their own hat if possible.
Swimming Caps can now be bought via contactless payment on deck for £5
In The Water – Swimming Etiquette
Enjoy your swim and be considerate of other swimmers. Always leave space between yourself and other swimmers.
If you’re fast and skilled, use your skills and judgement to pass others wide and reduce your kick temporarily, give others space, don’t cut people up. The lake is large and there is space for everyone to enjoy their swim at their own pace.
Don’t draft – spread wide.
Do not stop or gather by the buoys, if you do need to stop, please swim out of the loop slightly to not to become an obstacle.
If at any time you are in trouble, feel anxious or panic, put yourself on your back to float and wave your arms or call to attract the attention of the safety team on kayaks, the safety boat or watching from the pontoon – someone will come over to you and offer the necessary assistance.
In order to respect the safety of the OEC team we ask you to swim within your limits. Take it easy and enjoy being in the water.
At the end of your swim exit the water at the deck and go straight to the sign in/out desk, return your band, and collect your membership card. A warm shower is often a good idea especially in lower temperatures.
Tea and coffee will be available for you to make in Cabin 8, but please bring your own cup.
You will still be charged if you fail to attend or turn up too late for the start of your time slot. When you book a slot to swim, you are taking someone else’s chance.
OWS General Inforamtion
Itinerary for each session as follows:
- TA OWS manager and assistants to arrive and set up, meet with Duty Manager. DM to advise of water temperature and any water quality issues (10:40am).
- Kayak support will begin escorting last swimmers towards the deck prior to finish times in order to ensure the water is clear by 12:00pm.
- TA OWS co-ordinator and WA Duty manager review and close session (12:20pm).
- TA to be clear of the deck (12.20pm)
Briefing:
All swimmers will be briefed as they sign in. First time lake swimmers must identify themselves and will have the rules, the course and safety procedures explained to them. The usual briefing information will include: any change of course, any unusual water quality or temperature, if there is a threat of lightening what the emergency procedure is.
Volunteers
We could not run any of our sessions without you as volunteers. Each OWS Winter Session needs at least one Swim Manager for the duration of the whole session (Satruday 11:00 – 12:00), 2 kayak marshalls, and potentially one other desk helper.
You will be rewarded with a free swim and the opportunity to gossip with everyone who has to cross your path. Full instructions can be emailed to you in advance, and all paperwork is available on site. Please offer your services by emailing OWS@tri-anglia.co.uk or sign up via the OWS Volunteer rota page.
Water Evacuation Procedure:
If it proves necessary to evacuate swimmers from the lake, then the alarm will be sounded. The alarm will be continuous sounding of whistles of and/or horns. Swimmers on hearing the alarm, MUST make their way to the South bank (or return to OEC deck or boat launch if closer), leave the water and walk back to the OEC to be counted.
Attachments
Risk Assessments from Whitlingham Adventure available on request.
