Open Water Swimming 2023
Open Water Swimming at the River Huntspill
We are commencing open water swimming at the river Huntspill from Tue 2nd May 6pm-8pm and hope to swim through to October.
Sessions will be run:
- Tue 6pm to 8pm
- Sat 9am to 11am
Sessions are conducted with social distancing to the fore.
Cost: £5 per session
Priority will be given to swimmers that have booked (casual swimmers accepted)
Please see below to book.
Booking will be taken on a first come first served basis. You can book several sessions (if a session is cancelled a credit or refund will be offered)
Sessions are £5 each
Novice and those new to ow swimming should contact the team on info@thetriathlontrainingteam.co.uk to arrange a one to one session. The two hours will be charged at £25.
Any swimmer new to the venue or swimming with us will be asked to demonstrate their competence before being allowed to swim on.
The session leader’s decision is final in all aspects of safety and or the running of the session.
Skin swimmers should contact us on info@thetriathlontrainingteam.co.uk before booking or turning up for a swim
Casual swimmers will be permitted providing the session isn't full. We prefer it if you book (it helps us manage the numbers).
(if you are unsure email us at info@thetriathlontrainingteam.co.uk)
WE TAKE
CARDLESS PAYMENTS
ON SITE
How to find us
DIRECTIONS FROM THE SOUTH ON THE M5.
From the South come off the M5 at Junction 23. Take the left.
At the Dunball Roundabout take the third turning right heading on the A38 towards Pawlett and West Huntspill.
Follow the road through Pawlett (Up and over a small hill).
You cross a river bridge over the River Huntspill.
DIRECTLY AFTER THE BRIDGE TURN LEFT. Onto a track with a cattle grid.
Ahead by 400m before the next cattle grid PULL OVER ON THE LEFT (Grass field). Park your car.
On foot with your stuff cross the cattle grid, turn left, keep to the right, cross the bridge.. The changing area is to the right with a slipway.
GPS for the nearby Laburnum Hotel is TA9 3RJ.
DIRECTIONS FROM THE NORTH ON THE M5.
From the North come off the M5 at Junction 2. Take the right turning.
At the Edithmead roundabout take the first turning left heading on the A38 towards Bridgwater, Pawlett and West Huntspill.
Follow the road through Highbridge then through Huntspill.
There is a speed camera on the right.
150m further on before you cross the river bridge over the River Huntspill. Turn Right.
Onto a track with a cattle grid.
Ahead by 400m before the next cattle grid PULL OVER ON THE LEFT (Grass field). Park your car.
On foot with your stuff cross the cattle grid, turn left, keep to the right, cross the bridge.. The changing area is to the right with a slipway.
GPS for the nearby Laburnum Hotel is TA9 3RJ.
Please follow the directions in the swimmer’s journey detailed here:
- BOOK YOUR PLACE
- Travel to the river
- Park your car prior to turning left over the bridge (Signed)
- Spectators can watch from the bridge
- With your kit, wet suit, hat, goggles, drink etc walk over the bridge, keep to the left, to the slip way area on your right
- THERE ARE NO FACILITIES AT THE HUNTSPILL.
- Sign in the register.
- Collect your band.
- Pay if you have not booked.
- As directed go to your place marked by a coloured pole.
- Get changed
- Approach the slipway
- Enter the water you can use the ladders provided. There is no diving.
- Swim……………..enjoy
- Exit the water
- Remove wet suit etc
- Ensure your suit is checked, washed and dried (Bio transfer action) on return to your home
- Return your band to the registration point.
- Return to your car
- Have a safe onwards journey
We have a special license to swim in the Huntspill it is a SSSI. No swimming is allowed outside the licensed times due to the unannounced operation of the Weir Gates.
Rules of the Swim
These rules are normally verbally briefed before the swim please inwardly digest them if in any doubt ask before you enter the water:
- A BRIGHTCOLOURED SWIM HAT IS MANDATORY (Black and White are not considered as colours!)
- SWIM FLOATS ARE MANDATORY
- This is a wet suit swim. Unless designated otherwise by the session leader.
- Skin swimmers are to notify the team info@thetriathlontraingteam.co.uk before booking.
- Swimmers should swim in pairs or as a group observing social distancing (You will be nominated a swim buddy if you do not have one).
- There will be buoys at 100/250/500/750m. Swimmers can swim the distance they wish within their capabilities and fitness.
- At the end of swim there is a line of buoys 100m from the weir gate. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES ARE THESE TO BE CROSSED.
- Swim to the right of the buoys both up and down.
- You can swim all front strokes.
- YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO SWIM ON YOUR BACK.
- Swimming aids fins, paddles, swim buoys etc are allowed.
- If you see anyone in distress, waving or laying on their back you are to offer assistance. Help will be on its way.
SAFETY DURING THE SWIM
Remember it is not a race! Take your time. Do your water entry drills get used to the temperature before heading off. Swim within yourself.
- If you feel ill at ease stop! Settle yourself before attempting a short swim on to see how you are. If in doubt head back.
- Get assistance from your swim buddy or group.
- If you are still not comfortable swim to the left bank on the way up and right bank on the way back. There are cow slips and the water in the reeds is shallower.
- If you are in trouble wave both arms then lay on your back.
- If a kayak approaches you hold on to the nose of the boat and follow the instructions of the paddler.
- IF YOU HEAR AN AIR HORN OR PERSISTANT WHISTLING. STOP. Look around. See if you can assist. If not head back.
THERE IS A CRASH CARD, FIRST AID BAG AND AED AT THE ENTRY POINT
WAIVER
By booking with 4T (The Triathlon Training Team) I acknowledge the additional risk from COVID 19.
By booking with 4T I understand the dangers associated with swimming in open water, including the potential for serious personal injury, death and loss of property.
If I decide to swim without a wetsuit, I understand that this could mean that some of these risks are increased; particularly with regards to reduced protection from cold water conditions and the potential onset of hypothermia.
I hereby waive any and all rights of action against 4T Open Water Swim for all injuries and other actionable events, arising out of participating in this open water event.
I agree to release, discharge, indemnify and hold harmless 4T Open Water Swim from any liability arising therefrom, to defend any action of proceeding against 4T Open Water Swim as a result thereof, and to indemnify 4T Open Water Swim against any liability or expense incurred by it as a result thereof.
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