Overview

The first BLDSA swim of the year and a great start to the season. You can choose from 1km, 3km or 5km – or even really kick the season off with a bang and double up and do the 1km swim and one of the longer distances too.

Use the links below to enter this event.

Register

3 km 5 km

Entries for the 1 km are on the day.

The Event

The course is a 1km loop of Colwick lake in Nottinghamshire, marked by positioned buoys.

The 1km swim will start first and we welcome as many newcomers to open water swimming as possible. The 1km swim is open to both wetsuit swimmers and non-BLDSA members – you can also sign up on the day.

The 3km and 5km swims will start together (so you CANNOT enter both) and will both do multiple loops of the lake. Both events are open to wetsuit swimmers – but you will not swim as part of the championship event.

Registration on the day

1km – 9:00am report to the Swim Secretary on arrival – Swimmers MUST register.

3km & 5km – 10:00am report to the Swim Secretary on arrival – Swimmers MUST register.

Briefing

1km – 9.30am – All swimmers must attend.

3km & 5km – 11:00am – All swimmers must attend.

Start

1km – 10:00am

3km & 5km – 11:30am

(Note that times may be subject to change)

Time limit

There will be a time limit of 3.5hours on this swim.

Presentations

The presentation will be held on the lake side or in the Adventure Centre as soon as possible after the last swimmer finishes.

Non UK Residents

Non UK Residents must provide evidence of membership of their governing body or individual insurance for Open Water Swimming.

Location

From the North leave the M1 at junction 26 and follow the A610 into Nottinham City Centre then follow the signs for Trent Bridge, Nottingham Racecourse and Colwick Park.

On reaching Nottingham Racecourse follow A612 Southwell Road keeping Nottingham Racecourse on your right.  After the Toby Carvery Restaurant turn right at the second set of traffic lights into Mile End Road.  Then immediately right into River Road which leads into Colwick Park.  To gain entry into the park you will need a £2 to raise the barrier (your exit is free) then follow the road through the park until you reach West Lake and Colwick Park Adventure Centre.

From the South leave the M1 at junction 24 and follow the A453 towards Nottingham then follow directions as above.

For those people who wish to use sat nav the post code for the park is NG4 2DW

Emergency Safety Cover

Emergency Safety cover will be provided; at a minimum this will include the BLDSA rescue boat and a number of canoes spaced around the course.

General Information

All persons are advised to report any incidents, including near misses, to a nominated person who shall be named at the championship briefing meeting.

The BLDSA has in place Anti-Bullying and Child & Vulnerable Adult Policies. Copies of which may be obtained from the BLDSA Hon. Child & Vulnerable Adult Officer.

Any person associated with the swim is expected to pay any car park charges that may be due from the parking of their vehicle.

Facilities

We are most fortunate to have access to the new Adventure Centre on the lakeside where there are showers toilets and changing facilities.

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For more information please contact:

Amanda Bell – email a_l_bell@hotmail.com

The 18th WYKEHAM CHAMPIONSHIPS

Swimmers will be escorted around a marked course by their individual kayakers with buoys lit for navigation.

The 2019 NIGHT events include the following:

5 km – Senior only – Traditional Costume/trunks

5 km (night swim)

PLEASE NOTE: DOGS ARE NOT ALLOWED

For more information contact:

Ms Erin Hope

e-mail: erinx1xhope@outlook.com

Swim prerequisites

Swimmers are required to wear 2 LED adventure lights attached to them for this night swim. These can be purchased from the BLDSA shop for £9 each. All swimmers need to be accompanied by experienced kayaker. The swim organizer will endeavor to provide kayak support for you where needed and for this reason the swimmers may start at a different times depending on numbers. Swim places depend on available kayak support, which will be allocated on first come first serve basis. To ensure a place please try to provide your own competent kayaker.

The 19th WYKEHAM CHAMPIONSHIPS

Wykeham Lake is on the A170 Scarborough to Pickering Road. It is on the left if coming from Scarborough, just after West Ayton and on the right if coming from Pickering. The Lake is sign posted Wykeham Lake / Charm Park and is opposite Hutton Buscel.

The 2019 events include the following:

2 mile (3.2km) – Junior & Senior – Traditional Costume/trunks

5 km – Senior only – Traditional Costume/trunks

1 km – Open, Seniors & Juniors  – Traditional Costume/trunks and Wetsuits

Register here;

5 km  5 km (night swim)  2 miles   1 km  

PLEASE NOTE: DOGS ARE NOT ALLOWED

For more information contact:

Ms Erin Hope

e-mail: erinx1xhope@outlook.com

Overview

One of our toughest swims on the calendar, but not for the total distance (9 miles). You will swim each of the three events (Non-wetsuit only), but with an interval between each swim and the challenge is not getting too cold swim to swim and being able to complete the 3 events.

Register

The Event

The senior Champion of Champions events will consist of three swims – over 10 laps, 6 laps and 2 laps of a designated course in Dover Harbour. Each lap will be 1/2 mile – the course being set using GPS. All competitors shall enter all 3 events.

To complete the full Champion of Champions event, competitors must complete all three swims and the Championship will be decided on the basis of the lowest aggregate times

In order for competitors to complete the full Champion of Champions event, they must complete each individual event before the designated time for the start of the next element

Water Temperature for this weekend of the year has averaged 14.3 degrees celsius over the last 10 years. The event has taken place in lower temperatures (12 degrees in 2013) so make sure you are prepared. Come with a buddy for support, make sure you have lots of hot drinks plus nourishment you can access between swims. A small tent is advisable to keep you away from the elements between swims.

Age Categories

Seniors & Juniors

• Only open to BLDSA members and this is a NON-WETSUIT event.
• All three events = £90 Seniors, £20 Juniors
• Juniors MUST have a Parent or Guardian present AT ALL TIMES during the events.

Registration

Report to the Swim Secretary upon arrival at the Start site at ‘Swimmers Beach’ (on the beach opposite Cinque Ports Yacht Club) from 8am.

Briefing

Please Note, attendance of the briefing is mandatory – failure to attend this will void your entry. This will be held on the beach.
5mile swim @ 8.45am
3mile swim @ 1:15pm
1mile swim @ 4:15pm

Start

5 mile swim – 9:15am
3 mile swim – 1:30pm
1 mile swim – 4:30pm

(Note that times will be subject to change)

Course

Will be around 3 buoys spaced out in approximately a triangle which will be set within the broader designated swimming area of Dover Harbour. This is clearly marked out by yellow buoys. Swimmers must pass outside each of the buoys on each circuit in a clockwise direction. Each time a swimmer passes the start point at the completion of each lap, they must clearly give his/her number to the Lap Recorders who will be in the lap counting boat. The start, finish and more details of the course will be outlined at the briefing.

Time limits

BE AWARE there will be VERY STRICT time limits as follows – this is to protect YOUR safety and to ensure the smooth running of the swim:
5 mile swim – 4 hours, 3 mile swim – 2 1/2 hours, 1 mile swim – 50 mins (The slowest finisher easily completed within these time frames in recent years)

Non UK Residents

Non UK Residents must provide evidence of membership of their governing body or individual insurance for Open Water Swimming.

Location

Swimmers Beach (where the Channel Swimmers usually train) on the beach opposite from the Cinque Ports Yacht Club on the Esplanade

Sorry you will need to ‘Pay and Display’ about £7.00 all day on the sea front. Other car parks are available near by. Most sea front hotels offer free parking. More details on Parking are available at Dover Council website, see below for link.

Emergency Safety Cover

Safety cover will be provided by ca. 8-10 canoeist lifeguards, and by the BLDSA rescue boats. Given the difficulty in ensuring sufficient canoe cover, swimmers are encouraged to bring their own canoeists if possible.

Presentations

The presentation will take place on the beach at approximately 6:00pm.

Trophies will be awarded to the winner of the Ladies and Gents Champion of Champions event. Certificates will be awarded to all swimmers completing the full Champion of Champions event.

Certificates will also be presented to all competitors finishing individual races.

General Information

The Championship will be held in the recreational area of the harbour. Nevertheless, it will be a very demanding swim and the following points should be taken into account before entering:

* The swim is early in the season and water temperatures can often still be cold. In 2013 the temperature was 12 degrees celsius and in 2014 the temperature was 15 degrees celsius. The average over the last 10 years during this weekend in Dover is 14.3 degrees. Do not fool yourself by training in 20+ degree conditions thinking that will be the same!

* The harbour is the largest man made harbour in the UK and can be influenced by wind and swell out side the protective breakwaters.

* The harbour is also subject to tidal flow (The swim course is in a low flow area and parallel to the swim).
Serious training is needed before attempting an open water of this magnitude, nevertheless all the above will add to the enjoyment of the swim and I encourage you to enter.

All persons are advised to report any incidents, including near misses, to a nominated person who shall be named at the championship briefing meeting.

The BLDSA has in place Anti-Bullying and Child/ Vulnerable Adult Protection Policies. Copies of which may be obtained from the BLDSA Hon. Child Protection Officer.
Any person associated with the swim is expected to pay any car park charges that may be due from the parking of their vehicle.

Accommodation

Try the nearest Premier Inn on the Esplanade or go to www.booking.com

The BLDSA Champion of Champions (North) will be held on the 22nd June 2019.  The event is a week after the world famous & gruelling BLDSA Champion of Champions (South). 

The Champion of Championship North will be the 4th BLDSA Championship of the season, following swims at Colwick Park in Nottingham, Wykeham Lakes in Yorkshire and the Champion of Champions (South) in Dover Harbour (check those out!)

Seniors & Juniors Events comprise 5 mile race +3 mile race +1 mile race = 9 miles in total.                     Competitors can swim in any or all of the 3 events 

TRADITIONAL COSTUMES/TRUNKS ONLY TO BE WORN

Contact: Amanda Bell
e mail: a_l_bell@hotmail.com

Tel: 07590 685913

Register here

Senior/Veteran Registration Junior Registration

If supplying your own canoeist they must be experienced in sea conditions.

The BLDSA Torbay Championship takes place across a large, semi-circular bay on the south coast of Devon, famous for its beautiful long sandy beaches, stunning views, red sandstone cliffs and crystal clear waters. The 8 mile starts from Meadfoot beach in Torquay across to the turnaround point at Fishcombe Cove near Brixham. It’s recognised as one of the toughest swims on the BLDSA calendar and a history dating back to the 1950s and still has records that stand from the 1980s, where Karen Toole set a record time of 2 hours 42 minutes (1983) and Lyndon Dunsbee in 2 hours 40 minutes (1986). The event remains only one of two sea swims that the association runs annually.

Swim Secretary: Steve Price – torbayswim@bldsa.org.uk

This event is NON-WETSUIT only.

Register

Register*