We hope that you continue to be safe and well and we look forward to welcoming you all back to our events in 2021.

The events will be opening in October on the basis that Covid restictions will allow the swims to go ahead. We as an organisation will only be allowing the events to run if all current Covid guidelines can be followed, this will also include our own insurance and risk assessment guidelines which will be followed to the letter.

We are trying to remain positive that events will be able to go ahead as planned but it is up to you as an individual to make an informed decision about entering swims. Rest assured your safety and the safety of all our volunteers remains our main priority as is always the case regardless of the current pandemic, so with this in mind we are planning new ways of enabling the swims to run but they will only run if its safe to do so. You will of course be updated as soon as we know if the event can not take place. It may be worth ensuring if you enter an event which requires accommodation bookings, that they offer refunds if the event is cancelled and this may be at short notice if the government makes drastic changes.

An update on the 2020/2021 Season

Firstly, we hope you and your families are not suffering with any medical issues caused by Covid-19.  If any are, we hope you or they make a full recovery.

The BLDSA Executive Committee met recently and discussed the closure of the 2020 season the rolling over of Memberships and Events and the way forward.  At the time of writing this it looks like the virus and its required social distancing is going to be around for quite some time, perhaps into 2021.

We electronically contacted every member and “Open” event entrant for 2020.  The vast majority although disappointed, understood the rationale and thinking behind the decision and they thanked the Executive for their actions.  We thank the membership and “Open” entrants for their understanding of this issue and look forward to Covid-19 being behind us and we can get back together and in the water.  To this end we will shortly be publishing the proposed dates for 2021, because of the difficulty of contacting the various event locations, the dates will not be set in concrete but we expect the dates will be acceptable and at least the provisional dates will allow you to get planning your 2021 season.

We have not opened swim recognition for 2020 in line with social distancing and travel restrictions.  Should the situation regarding social distancing and travel restrictions be lifted and the government relaxes matters, it may be possible for swim recognition to be opened.  The whole subject will be kept under constant review.

Regarding memberships and the opening of events for 2021, the annual memberships for the 2020 memberships have already been “rolled over”.  If you were a 2020 member and did not request a refund your membership is now due to expire on the 31^st December 2021.  Once we know the 2021 season can go ahead the membership and event entry systems will be opened.  This will be on or just after the 1^st January 2021.

So until we can meet again please stay safe.

If you have any queries please send them to the Hon. Gen. Sec. using secretary@bldsa.org.uk

Amanda Bell, President & Vince Classen, Hon. Gen. Sec.

The BLDSA Executive Committee, hope you are all well and are not physically affected by the virus and if you are, we hope you make a full recovery. 
 
Due to the current and constantly changing situation with Coronavirus / Covid-19, we have made the extremely difficult and possibly controversial decision to cancel all of this year’s events.  This decision has not been easy, and we have taken many different things into consideration.  We thought by only closing some of the early events it may encourage people to think the later events will be run, then they are going to want to train, particularly for Windermere and Loch Lomond.  We are being told that social distancing is the key to beating this, so people trying to maintain this by training alone in open water would be putting themselves at an even greater risk. We know some swim alone anyway, but that is a calculated risk by a few, and potentially we could be seen to be encouraging everyone to do it.  We have taken into account our volunteers at all levels, Swim Sec’s, Safety Crews, those towing boats to events, on the day helpers, First Aiders, kayakers to name a few and their possibly not being available at the last minute.  We know with our volunteers they will go out of their way to try to ensure the events do take place even by putting themselves at risk.  The lack of accommodation, places to eat, any travel restrictions that may be sprung upon the country were other factors.    
 
The Executive Committee would like to suggest to you that annual Memberships for 2020 are rolled over for 2021.  There are two main reasons for this, if we refund, there will be a slight loss of money for you.  The amount you have paid attracted a Card Payment fee and any refund that we make will also attract a Card Payment fee.  If you are “rolled over”, you will have only paid this year’s fee (£45) and the increase which was agreed at the recent AGM to £47 will not affect you.  However, if you still wish for the refund it will be processed as soon as the Treasurer can process it. 
 
The executive committee would also like to suggest that entrants for events are “rolled over” onto next year, when we hope this situation will be over.  If you are “rolled over” you will have paid this year for next year’s event and your place will be already set.  Obviously if you request a refund for membership, we will not be able to roll your entry over for next year.    Please also take note that Loch Lomond will run next year not Windermere Two Way, so a complete move of events from this year to next year. 
 
If you do require any refunds, please email the Treasurer using treasurer@bldsa.org.uk.  
 
Amanda Bell, President & Vince Classen, Hon. Gen. Sec. 

Thank you for such an enjoyable weekend, I thoroughly enjoy this weekend and I have taken more points away for the coming open water season.  The impact that the sessions have on people is amazing, there is such a positive vibe when people leave and I think that should be something that you all should take away as a huge positive.

The whole structure is brilliant I loved the interaction with other swimmers from people who are just starting out to other people who have so much experience.  I felt I could offer support to others but that I learnt from people who have taken on marathon swims, we all found common ground and helped each other.  My network has widened and I made new swimming friends which is brilliant.

The main coaching sessions are the best sessions for me.  They have the technical element that breaks the main stroke down, then the sessions build on what we have learnt to hold the technique.  I really liked being challenged by the distance whilst trying to hold my technique and this keeps you focussed on what you need to concentrate on.  Chris is a fab coach, he keeps the sessions relaxed and I think this makes people want to try and improve.  The 1-1 feedback is so important and I certainly always benefit from this.