Open Water Swimming

Enjoy a fully lifeguarded swim in beautiful surroundings.

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. These can change from time to time but on average offers a minimum 75m course up to a 400m course.

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: The minimum age for this activity is 12 years.

1. 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.
2. *Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult who is also swimming in the session.
3. 16/17yrs can access the public swim session as long as an adult is on site spectating.
4. Wetsuits must be worn when the water temperature is below 18 degrees. above this temperature they become optional, but tow floats must be worn! Any temperature above 24.6 degrees, wetsuits must not be worn (Tow floats must be worn)

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

Weather:

Safety is our number one priority. If weather conditions are poor (e.g. strong winds or thunder and lightning) or other incidents occur, we reserve the right to restrict activity. Advance notice will be given where possible. However, sometimes decisions must be made at short notice. If we close for activities, we will contact all customers impacted to either reschedule or refund.

Must feel confident at being able to swim a minimum of 400m.

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

Swimming:

·Wetsuits must be worn – please ensure they are a minimum of 2mm thickness and cover part of the leg area.

·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.

1. Make sure you arrive in good time and have signed all relevant disclaimers and medical declarations ahead of your arrival.
2. Access the changing rooms via the Activity Centre and get changed into swimming attire ready for the swim.
3. Changing rooms and lockers are available with a refundable £1 coin required.
4. Check in at the activity centre reception.

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.

Before travelling to Llys Y Fran, we ask that you follow the current government advice and do not travel if you have any of the following symptoms:

1. A high temperature: this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature).

1. A new, continuous cough: this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual).

1. A loss or change to your sense of smell or taste: this means you've noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal.

To ensure the safety of our customers and staff we ask you to sign a health declaration confirming you are free of symptoms.

We have changing facilities with warm showers and toilets. Lockers are available with a refundable £1.00.

You may wish to bring flip flops or suitable footwear for the walk to and from the water.

Swimming Equipment:

1. Wetsuits are compulsory and must be worn at all times *Subject to water temperature.
2. You must wear a brightly coloured swim hat.
3. Tow floats are not compulsory but are advised.

Optional:

1. Goggles.

Not Allowed:

1. No Fins
2. No Flippers
3. No Ear Headphones
4. No Hard Hand Paddles
5. No Snorkels.

Post Swim Considerations:

Please ensure you bring warm clothes for afterwards. Following a swim in cold outdoor water your body temperature can continue to drop for some time afterwards. It's important to be aware of this and keep warm as soon as you can following your swim.

1. Upon arrival to Llys y Fran, please sign in at our Activity Centre Reception. Please ensure all consent forms have been signed before your arrival.

1. Swimmer briefing will take place at the start of each swim session where the following will be covered:

1. Only enter the water when told to do so by the session leader.
2. Always wear a brightly coloured swim hat.
3. Wear a wetsuit and/or tow float.
4. Always wear a numbered tally band in the water. (provided)
5. Follow the prescribed swim course.
6. Comply with the instruction to exit the water at the end of the session or in the event of a course evacuation (signalled by 3 loud blasts on the whistle).
7. Be aware of other swimmers and summon assistance if a swimmer is in difficulty.
8. Please allow time to acclimatise in the water before heading off for your swim.
9. Last swimmer entry will be 20 minutes before the end of the session.