Open water swimming usually takes place between June and September in the UK when the water temperature of lakes and the sea has risen after the colder winter months. The popularity of open water swimming has been growing in recent years and attracts swimmers of all ages. Some swimmers will wear wetsuits if the water temperatures remain cool but once they are around 18oC or above, many are happy to forego the wetsuit!
How to get started
It isn’t necessary to compete in open water if you don’t want to, many lakes around the region offer sessions where you can pay to swim and some are starting to offer introductory sessions.
Many competitive open water swimmers prefer distance swimming events in the pool which prepare them for the longer distances in open water swimming.
Many swimming clubs in the region can and will cater for open water swimmers.
