INTRODUCTION TO OPEN WATER SWIMMING
Whether you're aiming for a triathlon, swimrun, open water swimming event, or you just want to be more comfortable with outdoor swimming for exercise and fun, this is a great way to start your journey.
Our venue at Princes Dock provides safe and sheltered swimming in a spectacular city location. The main aim is to build confidence, inspire, and enjoy it. There will be land-based intro, including safety consideration, kit & your pre/post swim routine. Expect around 40 mins in the water (you can get out sooner if you like, or stay a bit longer).
Our venue at Princes Dock provides safe and sheltered swimming in a spectacular city location. The main aim is to build confidence, inspire, and enjoy it. There will be land-based intro, including safety consideration, kit & your pre/post swim routine. Expect around 40 mins in the water (you can get out sooner if you like, or stay a bit longer).
"Well run course, staff are really friendly and understanding of different abilities. Would highly recommend to anyone starting off in open water swimming." - John (Introduction to Open Water Swimming course)
REQUIREMENTS
- You need to be able to swim 200m
- Swim cap compulsory, available to purchase
- Goggles advised but not compulsory
- Wetsuit advised unless you are acclimatised
SWIMMING WETSUITS
There's lots of choice on Wiggle. Wetsuit Outlet, and Decathlon. Also consider buying 2nd hand from the many facebook groups. Be sure to check the size guide when looking at wetsuits online.
For some swimmers a full wetsuit is too constrictive so they opt for a neoprene vest/gilet, or a neoprene swimsuit. Some just wear a normal swimming costume.
Note some folks call open water swimming wetsuits "triathlon wetsuits", which can occasionally cause confusion.
There's lots of choice on Wiggle. Wetsuit Outlet, and Decathlon. Also consider buying 2nd hand from the many facebook groups. Be sure to check the size guide when looking at wetsuits online.
For some swimmers a full wetsuit is too constrictive so they opt for a neoprene vest/gilet, or a neoprene swimsuit. Some just wear a normal swimming costume.
Note some folks call open water swimming wetsuits "triathlon wetsuits", which can occasionally cause confusion.
YOUR COACH - Mike Alexander
Mike is a qualified NOWCA Level 2 Open Water Coach & RNLI Lifeguard, with a vast range of teaching experiences in different environments. He has competed in both male and mixed category swimrun across Europe including the OtillO World Series, the BRECA UK Championships, and the Adventure Race World Series.
Mike is also Race Director for the following events:
QUALIFICATIONS
+ NOWCA Level 2 Open Water Swimming Coach
+ STA Level 2 Swimming Teacher
+ ISKGA Advanced Sea Kayak Guide
+ MT Mountain Leader & Rock Climbing Instructor
+ BAIML Trained
+ BCU Advanced Sea Kayak Leader & Canoe Leader
+ RNLI Beach Lifeguard
+ RLSS Level 3 National Water Safety Management & Instructor/Assessor
+ UKCG Technical Canyoning
+ RYA Day Skipper, Powerboat Level 2 & Safety Boat
+ Remote Emergency Care First Aid & AED Trained
+ PGCE, QTS & MEng
Mike is a qualified NOWCA Level 2 Open Water Coach & RNLI Lifeguard, with a vast range of teaching experiences in different environments. He has competed in both male and mixed category swimrun across Europe including the OtillO World Series, the BRECA UK Championships, and the Adventure Race World Series.
Mike is also Race Director for the following events:
- Aberdovey Swim
- Tal Y Llyn Swim
- Dyfi Swimrun
- Tal Y Llyn Swimrun
- Dyfi X Trail Marathon
- Cadair X Half Marathon
- Dyfi Ultra 80km
- The Great Welsh Ultra 200km (in partneship with Dave Talbot)
QUALIFICATIONS
+ NOWCA Level 2 Open Water Swimming Coach
+ STA Level 2 Swimming Teacher
+ ISKGA Advanced Sea Kayak Guide
+ MT Mountain Leader & Rock Climbing Instructor
+ BAIML Trained
+ BCU Advanced Sea Kayak Leader & Canoe Leader
+ RNLI Beach Lifeguard
+ RLSS Level 3 National Water Safety Management & Instructor/Assessor
+ UKCG Technical Canyoning
+ RYA Day Skipper, Powerboat Level 2 & Safety Boat
+ Remote Emergency Care First Aid & AED Trained
+ PGCE, QTS & MEng
Mike has also climbed many significant peaks in Europe, Russia, Alaska, Africa and Bolivia, kayaked across the Irish Sea, and competed in World Series multi-day Adventure Races.
Given the time Mike also enjoys writing, in 2011 he wrote the Wild Swimming Code for Natural Resources Wales, with Dan Graham, and he occasionally contributes to the Outdoor Swimmer magazine's swimrun section, recent articles below:
| SwimRun-Better-Together.pdf |
| SwimRun_vs_Triathlon.pdf |
| Wild-Swimming-Code.pdf |
Passing the Jetty in The Dovey 13km, 2019
Collingwood Dock 2019, we've since moved nearer to the Liver Birds.
ADDRESS
Princes Dock Footbridge, L3 1BG - Google Map here. It's just over the footbridge from BEAN Coffee.
Princes Dock Footbridge, L3 1BG - Google Map here. It's just over the footbridge from BEAN Coffee.
