What do I need to know to prepare for my swim?

Our teams are committed to keeping you safe in the water.  Please ensure you are prepared for your swim and know what to expect when you swim at one of our venues.

You should be able to swim a minimum of 400m in a pool without standing/stopping to swim at our venues. 

PREPARE

• Check the water temperature - if it's below 15 degrees (or you are swimming from November to March), you must complete the NOWCA online COLD WATER INDUCTION or have completed an onsite Cold Water Induction at a Love Open Water venue, prior to your swim.  Inductions from other venues will not be accepted. CLICK HERE FOR FURTHER DETAILS
• You can book your online Cold Water Induction via ACTiO - look for Online Cold Water Induction under Available Activities for further details
• Plan your journey to arrive on time for your booked timeslot.  We don't have a time limit on how long you can swim during the session but do ask that you are onsite ready to swim for your booked slot.
• If you've booked the last timeslot in the session, please note the finish time for the slot as this is the closing time of the venue and you will need to vacate the water 5 minutes before the end of this timeslot.
• Don't forget your tow float.  Every swimmer MUST use a tow float.  We have a limited amount of borrow tow floats onsite and these are strictly reserved for new swimmers (those collecting their NOWCA wristband for the first time) Regular swimmers must BYO tow float.  We have tow floats onsite to purchase.
• Pack your brightly coloured headwear.  You may wish to wear a woolly hat (in winter), a latex, lycra or silicone swim cap, or a brightly coloured head band.  It's important that our lifeguards can see you! You MUST swim with brightly coloured headwear.
• Don't forget your NOWCA safety wristband as you'll need this to scan in and out for your swim.  If it's your first time, you can collect this when you arrive for your swim.
• Bring a snack.  Some of our venues are not serviced by shops / cafes so be sure to bring something with you to replenish after your swim. Check venue facilities on our venues page
• Ensure you are well hydrated before your swim - bring a water bottle with you, especially on warmer days.
• Pack your towel, swimsuit, wetsuit, goggles etc and don't forget warm layers to change into post swim if the water/weather is cold.  We also advise bringing slip on footwear to protect your feet whilst traversing to the waters edge / entry point.
• Our venues have small bag drop areas where you can leave your belongings during your swim but we advise that you don't bring valuables to site.
• Wetsuits aren't compulsory at Love Open Water venues.  CLICK HERE for hire information.
• We do not allow wetsuits to be worn when the water temperature is above 24 degrees
• Don't forget your sunscreen!
• Check our policy on swimming with children as there are different age limits / policies for our venues
• Check our protocols for swimming in adverse weather
• Check the cancellation policy.  Bookings are non transferrable and can only be refunded under certain conditions.  Credit packages are non-refundable and cannot be transferred to a different venue.
• Join the venue Facebook Community group and SUBSCRIBE to our newsletter to get the latest venue updates

ON ARRIVAL / DURING YOUR SWIM

• Check the swim course/s available for the day and be sure to know which direction to swim. If you are just intending to 'dip', this is fine but please ensure you are near the entry area and not impeding those swimming on the course
• You must SCAN IN with your NOWCA wristband, before entering the water
• Be aware of where lifeguards are positioned in case you need to signal for help
• If you feel uncomfortable at any time in the water and need to signal for a lifeguard/assistance, roll onto your back, hold your tow float and raise your hand in the air.  
• Follow any instructions given by lifeguards.  They may attract attention via a whistle, horn or loud hailer.  

AFTER YOUR SWIM

• Be sure to SCAN OUT after you have exited the water.  Once you've scanned out you should not re-enter the water.  If you wish to do so, you must see a member of staff to ensure you are scanned back in.
• Get changed quickly and warmed up (especially if the water/weather is cold)
• If you feel unwell in any way whilst still onsite, please let one of our staff know immediately
• If you feel unwell after your swim, please contact us using the Submit a Ticket link on our HELP homepage

GENERAL SAFETY 

• If you are nervous or anxious about swimming, please talk to the venue staff on arrival
• You should be able to swim a minimum of 400m in a pool without standing/stopping to swim at our venues. In some cases you will be directly entering deep water (up to 12m deep), so should be confident treading water
• Canary Wharf, London Royal Docks, Leeds Dock have pontoon entry via a ladder and you will enter directly into very deep water.  Nottingham, Mill Waters and Chattern Hill Orchard, The Haven have walk-in/ramp entry.
• Please ensure you stay away from dock edges and banks when swimming at our venues, unless instructed to do so in the event of an emergency situation / water evacuation
• Do not swim if you have open cuts / abrasions and try not to swallow any water.  We test water quality (at least) monthly at our venues to ensure it's in line with Bathing Regulations, however swallowing water and swimming with open wounds may expose you to bacteria, causing illness.
• To avoid cross-contamination of waterways, please thoroughly wash and dry your swim gear following every swim.
• Wash or sanitize your hands after your swim