Open Water Swim

PLEASE COLLECT A WRISTBAND AT RECEPTION ON ARRIVAL. LAST ENTRY TO THE WATER 30 MINS BEFORE END OF SESSION.

YOU MUST SHOW YOUR BOOKING CONFIRMATION ON THE GATE FOR ENTRY TO THE SITE. LISVANE ENTRANCE ONLY BEFORE 9am AND AFTER 6pm!

Enjoy a swim in beautiful surroundings overseen by fully qualified lifeguards.

Our 90 minute flexible swim sessions enables you to arrive at a time to suit, last entry 30 minutes prior to the end time.

Our lifeguard team are on hand to keep you safe during your swim. Swimmers must remember that water temperature can affect duration spent in the water. Swimmers ability can be impeded by water temperature / duration of a swim and each person has their own limits; our team will actively advise swimmers if they feel swimmer ability is being impeded.

Whether you are looking for a relaxing open water swim or training for an event our swim course offers a range of distances.

New Swimmers will be welcomed with a full safety briefing and induction to our water space on their first visit with a member of staff down on the course ahead of your swim so please expect a short amount of time for this beforehand.

Age restrictions note:

1. The minimum age for this activity is 12 years.
2. 12yrs - 15yrs* are able to access the swim session with an adult swimming in the session. Child must have a tow float. Wetsuit, Bright coloured hat and be a confident and competent swimmer able to swim a minimum of 400m comfortably.
3. *Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult who is also swimming in the session.
4. 16/17yrs can access the public swim session as long as an adult is on site spectating.
5. Please note - children will need to consider the time in the water may be less than an adult and be closely monitored by their accompanying adult for comfortability.
6. The final decision regarding participation on a session sits with the centre staff, decisions are final and abusive behaviour will not be tolerated

NB: Please note there could be a short walk to the start of the swim course for which suitable footwear should be worn.

SESSIONS WILL BE ADDED TWO WEEKLY DURING AUTUMN/WINTER MONTHS DUE TO DAYLIGHT HOURS AND WATER TEMPERATURE.

Weather:

Water levels change so sometimes water sports and swimming might be limited. In rare cases, we might need to cancel them entirely for safety reasons.

Safety is our number one priority. In the event of poor weather conditions (e.g. strong winds or thunder and lightning) or other incidents we reserve the right to restrict water access to particular user groups, restrict the area available for activities, cancel sessions or close the lake. We will endeavour to give advance notice whenever possible; however sometimes decisions need to be made at short notice. If we close the lake, we will add a message to our website and endeavour to contact all customers impacted to offer the opportunity to reschedule their session or receive a refund.

** SWIMMERS ITCH WARNING**

Update 04/11/24:

A small number of swimmers have reported mild symptoms akin to swimmer’s itch. We are closely monitoring the situation and will provide regular updates.

Swimmer’s itch (also known as ‘cercarial dermatitis’)

What is swimmer’s itch?

Swimmer’s itch is an itchy skin rash. It is caused by an allergic reaction to a type of tiny flatworm that is found naturally in open water.

The tiny flatworms that cause swimmer’s itch live all over the world, in natural outdoor or ‘open’ waters, such as lakes, ponds and the sea. They are so small that we cannot see them, so it is not possible to know when they are there.

These flatworms do not infect people but they can cause itching if they come into contact with a person’s skin. The ‘itching’ cannot spread from one person to another, it needs direct contact with the worms.

Anyone who is in contact with the flatworms can get swimmer’s itch – this could be when swimming, dipping, wading or paddling in outdoor waters.

What should I do if I get swimmer’s itch?

People with swimmer’s itch are unlikely to need medical help, as it usually gets better by itself, and there is no test that needs to be done for it. But it is important that you don’t scratch the rash, to stop it getting infected with germs. Speak to your pharmacist if you need help with the itching.

It is also important to remember that itching skin and rashes can be caused by lots of other things. So, if you are unsure if you have swimmer’s itch, if your symptoms are getting worse or if you feel unwell after being in outdoor waters, see your GP or pharmacist for advice.

How do I know if I have swimmer’s itch?

Swimmer's itch usually happens within hours (1 to 48 hours) of being in the water. At first, it may cause a tingling, itching or burning feeling of the skin. Small reddish spots may appear, sometimes turning into larger rashes and blisters, with intense itching.

It usually only affects skin which directly touches the water. Skin that is covered by tight swimwear is usually fine.

Swimmer’s itch usually gets better without treatment and goes away by itself in 1-3 weeks.

As swimmer’s itch is an allergic reaction, people in the same water can have different reactions. But the more often someone has contact with the flatworms, the more serious (immediate and intense) their reaction may be.

How do I know when swimmer’s itch is a problem in water?

Swimmer’s itch is not a sign of pollution or ‘dirty’ water. But we are still learning more about why swimmer’s itch is a problem in some waters and not in others, and how this can change over time.

We think that swimmer’s itch is more likely to be a problem when water is warmer, in the Summer, in water where lots of water birds live or visit (e.g. ducks, geese and swans) and in shallower water with lots of plants. It may also be more of a problem in the early morning.

Children seem to be more likely to develop swimmer’s itch than adults, probably because they spend more time in shallow waters and may not dry themselves as well as adults do.

How can I reduce my chance of getting swimmer’s itch?

It’s difficult to know when and where swimmer’s itch will be a problem before you go into the water. Even if it has been reported as a problem somewhere, it may not always be a problem there in the future. But if you want to reduce your chance of getting swimmer’s itch:

• Avoid swimming or wading in warmer, shallow waters with lots of plants.

• Avoid swimming or wading where lots of water birds live or visit.

• Think about covering your skin e.g. wearing a full-length wetsuit, swim cap, wet suit gloves and booties. Remember your face will still be bare.

• Towel rub your skin dry straight after leaving the water.

• Where possible, shower straight after leaving the water.

It is also a good idea to rinse your wetsuit in clean fresh water after use.

You can find out more about safe swimming in outdoor waters here: https://phw.nhs.wales/services-and-teams/environmental-public-health/staying-safe-in-outdoor-waters-in-wales/

This advice is based on information from:

DermNet (2021): ‘Swimmer’s itch’. https://dermnetnz.org/topics/swimmers-itch

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2020): ‘Swimmer’s itch FAQs’. https://www.cdc.gov/swimmers-itch/about/

World Health Organization (2021): ‘Guidelines on recreational water quality Volume 1 Coastal and Fresh Waters’. https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/342625/9789240031302-eng.pdf?isAllowed=y&sequence=1

Must feel confident at being able to swim a minimum of 100m.

Minimum age 12yrs - see notes relating to swimmers aged under 18 before attending.

Please complete your disclaimer and medical information ahead of your visit – this will be prompted through your online booking. If this information isn’t completed in advance, it can cause delays to you starting your session. This information must be completed for every person participating.

Swimming:

·Brightly coloured swim hat – so you are easily visible to the lifeguard team

·Footwear to wear to walk to the water’s edge as access points vary with water levels.

·Goggles recommended - although not a necessity

·Tow float for any under 16s mandatory

·Tow float recommended for all swimmers

·Towel

·Warm clothes for afterwards – even in the summer season.

·Please no: fins, snorkels, in ear headphones or hard hand paddles.

Update 04/11/24:

A small number of swimmers have reported mild symptoms akin to swimmer’s itch. We are closely monitoring the situation and will provide regular updates.

1.Make sure you arrive in good time and have signed all relevant disclaimers and medical declarations in advance

2.Check in at the Activity Centre reception

3.Changing rooms and lockers are available

4.Meet your shore-based lifeguard for up to date information regarding water temperature, direction of swim and entry notes before you initiate your swim session.