In October, the water temperature begins to drop and we recommend you spend this month preparing for the colder months ahead. As winter swimming continues to grow in popularity, we must ensure all swimmers take a safe approach to an activity that has many health benefits, but also poses higher risk.
If you plan to swim at a Love Open Water venues over winter, please ensure you are familiar with our requirements and are fully prepared before booking your swim. Swimmers that do not meet ALL the MANDATORY requirements WILL NOT be allowed to swim, nor get a refund/credit for the booking.
Here’s some of the key things you need to know about swimming at our venues this winter:
COLD WATER INDUCTION – mandatory
There are certain times of the year where a cold water induction is required if you wish to swim at our venues.
You MUST have completed a cold water induction in any of the following situations:
- The water temperature drops below 15°C at any time during the year.
- At any time between November and March – regardless of water temperature.
The cold water induction is an important part of keeping you safe and is mandatory for all swimmers regardless of swim ability or experience – there are no exceptions!
The induction will teach you the benefits and risks of cold water swimming, how it impacts your body, and how to recognise early warning signs within yourself and other swimmers around you. You only need to complete a cold water induction ONCE (not every winter season).
You can complete NOWCA’s Cold Water Induction online course PRIOR to your swim. As this is an online course, you can complete it at your own pace, in your own time.
To book an ONLINE induction:
- Search for your Love Open Water venue on the ACTiO app.
- Choose Online Course Cold Water Induction listed under Available Activities.
- Choose ANY DATE available – the date simply allows us to process your payment.
- Once booked you will receive a confirmation email with detailed instructions on how to access the course – which can be done at ANY time.
Your local Love Open Water venue may also offer ONSITE inductions. If this is the case, this will be listed on the ACTiO app as Onsite Cold Water Induction. Onsite inductions completed at non Love Open Water sites WILL NOT be accepted.
Once you have completed a cold water induction, you will receive a badge on your ACTiO profile. If you complete the online course less than 10 days prior to your swim, you may be asked to show proof of completion certificate (showing a digital copy/screenshot on your phone is acceptable).
CLICK HERE to check the latest water temperature at our venues.
SAFETY EQUIPMENT – mandatory
It is important that swimmers remain highly visible in the water, particularly during winter where there is reduced natural lighting.
There are 3 key safety items that you MUST BRING WITH YOU to swim at our venue:
- Bright tow float
- Bright headwear (cap/hat/headband/etc)
- Bright light – for those attending an early morning or night swim.
If you don’t have a tow float/headwear/light when you arrive for your swim, you can purchase one onsite – however, all our venues have very limited stock.
TIMESLOTS & SWIM COURSES
Although our cold water community is growing, our winter sessions attract significantly less swimmers compared to the summer. To manage the risk over winter, the number of sessions are reduced and the swim courses will also be smaller. However, the one thing we don’t reduce is our commitment to safety.
The winter timetable is carefully planned to ensure sessions can be staffed and offer a range of options for swimmers. Timeslots and capacity numbers are managed based on the safety of staff and swimmers. Where possible, more timeslots or capacity numbers will be increased if there is demand and staffing available.
Swim bookings are made via the ACTiO app. If the dates are grey, this means there are no sessions available on that day.
The timeslots are set up to encourage a safe and efficient flow of patrons, so it is important that you arrive at the time you have booked to avoid overcrowding.
PRICING
Many swimmers expect a price reduction as the time spent in the water is less during the colder months. However, the safety mechanisms that are in place during the summer season are still needed during the winter season. The relative cost of running the venue does not reduce over winter, despite the number of swimmers reducing. In many cases more resources and costs are invested to ensure risks are properly managed for all staff and swimmers.
LIFEGUARDS & OTHER SWIMMERS
All our sessions are lifeguarded. If you are new to our venue or trying cold water swimming for the first time, we recommend you speak to our staff so they are aware and can give you safety advice before you enter the water.
Always follow the instructions of our venue staff and lifeguards as they are there to keep you safe and ensure you have a great experience each time you visit.
We also encourage all swimmers to look out for one another before, during and after a swim. If you think a swimmer needs support, please inform our staff or lifeguard in the first instance.
FREE HOT DRINKS – BYO mug!
During the winter months, all our venues offer free hot drinks to help your post-swim warming.
Please grab a complimentary hot drink but remember to BYO mug!
Hang out, have a natter and make sure you have warmed up properly before you leave – especially if you are driving.
VENUE ANNOUNCEMENTS & UPDATES
Our preferred communication platform is the NOWCA Wild app.
If you want all the latest venue and session news, updates, and announcements, please join the venue’s group on NOWCA Wild.
Premium access to NOWCA Wild is included as part of your NOWCA membership, simply use your NOWCA credentials to log in.
NOWCA Wild is free to download for iOS and Android. Find out more at nowcawild.co.uk
