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 & your pre/post swim routine, followed by up to 45 mins in the water (you can get out sooner, or stay in a little longer if you like).
INTRO COURSES START AGAIN APRIL 2022
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 & your pre/post swim routine, followed by up to 45 mins in the water (you can get out sooner, or stay in a little longer if you like).
INTRO COURSES START AGAIN APRIL 2022
REQUIREMENTS
- You need to be able to swim 200m
- Swim cap compulsory, available to purchase (£5)
- Goggles advised but not compulsory
- If you have a wetsuit bring it
SWIMMING WETSUITS
There's lots of choice on Wiggle. Wetsuit Outlet, and Decathlon. Be sure to check the size guide when looking at wetsuits online.
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. Be sure to check the size guide when looking at wetsuits online.
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
+ 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
+ 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
"Very enjoyable, friendly swim in historic surroundings, tobacco warehouse and bascule bridge. Organisers very welcoming. Created interesting swim with good safety cover. Would recommend to anyone who enjoys open water swimming" - Steven
"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)
"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)
Safety Rules
Your safety is very important to us. We ask you to read and comply with are general safety rules:
| General_Safety_Rules.pdf |
ADDRESS
Complete Training Solutions, Collingwood Dock, Regent Rd, Liverpool L3 0AH
If you need a good landmark to aim for the venue is river side of the Tobacco Warehouse, a Grade II listed building, and the world's largest brick-built warehouse, completed in 1901.
Complete Training Solutions, Collingwood Dock, Regent Rd, Liverpool L3 0AH
If you need a good landmark to aim for the venue is river side of the Tobacco Warehouse, a Grade II listed building, and the world's largest brick-built warehouse, completed in 1901.
If you are driving please park "pointing home" to comply with the site safety regulations. If you are cycling there is a freshly laid cycle lane along Regent Road, and a bike rack to lock your bike safely at the venue.
More photos of Collingwood Dock Swims here.
~ Victoria Clock Tower looks on, great for sighting ~
