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Open Water ​Swim Challenge 2022


16 July 2022 10am - 3pm

Family Fun Open Water Swim Festival

9 year old Maddy getting ready to swim the Open Water Swim with her mum Julia​We are excited to launch ​our first ever Open Water Swim Festival to follow on from our swim challenge in May.

For 2022, we want to make this event bigger and even better for all our eventers, so we are planning races, mass starts, an open family swim, food truck/stalls, raffle and much more! 

​Families can enjoy hours of festival fun while having the opportunity to ‘get in and splash’.

You can choose your own distance to swim on the day. There are 400m, 700m or 1km loops! Or, if you want something more challenging, sign up to our 3km, 5km and 10km races!

Medal imageEveryone who takes part will receive a Open Water Swim 2022 Finisher medal! 

Event Timings:
9.30am - Registration opens and remains open until the last race
10am - 10K race starts
11am -  5K race starts
1pm - 3K race starts

Ticket prices:

Adult ticket £30 per event
Dual ticket (Adult and Child) £37.50 per event

How your sponsorship helps

The first 5 supporters to raise over £250 will ​receive a ​limited edition event Open Water Swim hoodie.

The first 15 supporters to raise £150 in sponsorship will receive a ​Rennie Grove O​pen Water Swim towel.

Your entry fee covers the costs of putting on the event but your sponsorship contributes to funding Rennie Grove's care in the community. We need to raise over £20,000 every day to continue to provide our services for all the local people who need us.

£150 funds five hours​ of specialist care from a hospice at home nurse caring for patients and helping them to stay at home and manage their condition.
 
£225 funds a specialist hospice at home nurse for a day caring for patients and helping them to stay at home with their families and make every moment matter.

£750 funds a week of care from a healthcare assistant, visiting patients to support them with practical care ​to help them live as independently as possible at home.

If you raise money via JustGiving, this will come directly to us. You can set up your own JustGiving page here, send it round to your friends, family and work colleagues. Let them know what you're doing and why and see how much you can raise. If you need any help setting up your fundraising page, please send us an email here.

Open Water Swim FAQs

  • How do I get to the lake?

    Merchant Taylors Lake is at Merchant Taylors School, Sandy Lodge Road, Moor Park, Northwood, HA6 2HT

    Upon arrival at the school gates, follow ATW signage towards ​‘Open Water Swimming'

  • Is there car parking available?

    Yes. Please follow the signs to the lake on arrival at Merchants Taylors School.

  • Where do I go when I arrive?

    Please head over to the registration table inside the marquee by the edge of the lake when you arrive.

  • Are there changing facilities at the lake?

    Yes, there is a male and female changing area by the lake. There are also full changing facilities (with toilets and showers) inside the OMT Building on the other side of the Car Park. As these facilities are limited, all swimmers are advised to arrive ready to swim - in their swim suits - and then you'll only need to change after your swim.

  • Are there toilets at the lake?

    Yes toilets are located in the OMT Building by the Car Park

  • Will the event be timed?

    Yes - your distance events will be timed. Your timing chips will be handed out at registration. These will be on an ankle strap. There is a mat at the entrance to the lake, which will record your time going in and then once you exit the lake. After your swim, please make sure you return the ankle strap to the box.

    If you are simply wanting to take on one or more of the loops and enjoy a leisurely swim - this will not be timed.

  • Can I hire a wetsuit at the lake?

    Unfortunately, there is no facility to hire wetsuits at the lake.

  • How does the open swim festival work?

    This event is suitable for swimmers who are new to the open water as well as experienced open water eventers looking to beat their PBs.

    You can choose your own distance to swim on the day. There are 150m, 400m or 1.5km loops! You can choose to swim the loops throughout the festival.

    Or, if you want something more challenging, sign up to our 3km, 5km and 10km races! 
    10am - 10K race starts
    11am -  5K race starts
    1pm - 3K race starts

  • Is there water safety cover at the lake?

    Active Training World manage the water safety for all events at the lake. Their staff will look after you at registration and answer any questions you may have. Their staff will also be in kayaks on the water. 

  • Can my family and friends come along to support me?

    Yes of course, the more the merrier. There is a space alongside the lake for spectators and there will be a drinks facility at the lake if family wish to purchase any warm drinks.

  • What will the water temperature be?

    It is anticipated that the water temperature will be around 15 degrees in May. The lake is between 1-3metres deep and the actual water temperature will depend on the weather in the weeks prior to the swim.

    Although wetsuits are not compulsory, they are advisable.

  • Are there any refreshments at the lake for the Open Water Swim?

    Yes there will be a coffee van where you can purchase additional drinks.

    All swimmers will be offered 1 x hot drink - included in the ticket cost.

    There will also be snacks available with an opportunity to make a donation to Rennie Grove Hospice Care.

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