Intro Course
Get involved with our Introduction to Cold Water Immersion Course
SAT 11th FEB 10am to 11:15am.
SAT 11th FEB 10am to 11:15am.
What we'll cover:
What you'll need on the day:
A significant amount of time will be spent dry, covering the above content. We won't spend too much time in the water, just enough.
Suitable for any swimmer who wants to swim/dip in cold water.
- Dynamic risk assessments for your swim - what to consider
- Neoprene vs Bioprene: choosing the right kit that supports you
- Safety kit: tow floats, lights, goggles, socks, gloves, hats
- Acclimatisation & breathing guidance
- Cold Water Shock awareness
- Identifying and managing signs of being cold in the water
- Hypothermia awareness
- Rewarming procedures and kit
What you'll need on the day:
- Swimsuit and/or Wetsuit
- Hat (swim or woolly) must be brightly coloured for visibility (available to buy)
- Swim goggles if you wear them
- Towel
- Warm loose layers (try to avoid fiddly/small zips & buttons)
- Windproof/Waterproof outer layer
- Woolly hat
- Warm drink (we recommend ginger & honey)
- Snack
A significant amount of time will be spent dry, covering the above content. We won't spend too much time in the water, just enough.
Suitable for any swimmer who wants to swim/dip in cold water.
Regular Intro Course
This course will resume late Spring.
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).
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).
"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)
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.
Note, there is a difference between general purpose watersports wetsuits and swimming wetsuits. A key difference is that swimming wetsuits tend to be more flexible in the shoulders.
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.
If you are going into the racing world, you will be required to wear a wetsuit if the water temp is a t a certain level.
Note some folks call open water swimming wetsuits "triathlon wetsuits", which can occasionally cause confusion with "tri-suits".
Note, there is a difference between general purpose watersports wetsuits and swimming wetsuits. A key difference is that swimming wetsuits tend to be more flexible in the shoulders.
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.
If you are going into the racing world, you will be required to wear a wetsuit if the water temp is a t a certain level.
Note some folks call open water swimming wetsuits "triathlon wetsuits", which can occasionally cause confusion with "tri-suits".
Address
Princes Dock Footbridge, L3 1BG - Google Map here. It's just over the footbridge from BEAN Coffee.
Your Coach
Mike is a qualified NOWCA Level 2 Open Water Coach & Open Water 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
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
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
- RLSS Open Water 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
- IISA Official Observer
OTILLO Cannes World Series, Oct 2022
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 Dyfi 13km, 2019
