Summer Swimming Rules

Rules and Procedures for our Signed Off Members

• All swims must be booked on webcollect (no exceptions!)

• Please ensure your membership and emergency contact details are up to date, no membership no swim

• You can enter the water any time after the swim lead says and you must be out before the advertised session end time (some of the volunteers have jobs / homes to go to).

• Please sign in before entering the water and sign out as soon as you leave the water.

• Evening swims: - All swimmers must stay to the agreed swim courses (i.e. no swimming past the islands)

• Skin swimming (non-wetsuit) is allowed at all sessions, tow floats / personal flotation devices are mandatory for skin swimmers. Please do not attempt skin swimming for the first time until you have spoken to the swim leaders or lifeguards.

• Brightly coloured swim hats are mandatory. Dark blue, black etc are hard to see, Red hats are also hard to see at evening swims (white hats oddly are hard to see in the morning). Please consider this in your choice of hats, Bright yellow, green or orange colours are the easiest to see. Any Hat will do as long as it doesn't hamper your ability to swim.

• If you are using a surf wetsuit please check it will float you, a 2mm swim wetsuit is equivalent to a 3+mm surf suit for buoyancy. If you are wearing a thin surf suit <2mm you may be asked to swim with a tow float or not be allowed to swim. Wetsuits should fit like a second skin to work properly.

• Respect the Swim Leaders and Lifeguards, they are there to keep you safe; not debate with. Their word is final and the swim section has a zero tolerance policy for arguing or failing to follow guidance.

• Please be kind and considerate, everyone swims at different speeds and the lake is more than big enough to fit everyone. Try to avoid congregating round buoys or in the swim channels (please move to one side). Front crawl swimmers please sight regularly especially in the 400m loop area.

• Collisions happen, please ensure you stop to check everyone is ok, just remember some swimmers are not as confident as you. Try to pass with 2m clearance.

• Toilets and Changing Rooms should be open for all morning and evening swims. Changing facilities may not be available at lunch sessions.​

• We will have the Open to All sessions again this year. Wednesday 18:00 and Saturday 08:00 for non-members and members who have not been assessed and signed off as competent.

• Please ensure that if you are swimming in other locations that your swimming kit is Clean before entering the lake; this is to ensure Bio-safety in the lake.

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Open to All OWS Lifeguarded Sessions

These sessions that are open to members and non-members and are fully covered by our in-house volunteer team of RLSS qualified lifeguards. Bookings for each week are released on the Sunday for the upcoming week and will run on Saturday mornings at 8am and Wednesday Evenings at 6pm throughout the summer.

The times advertised are strict in the water times so please ensure you are ready to swim and be briefed at the advertised start time.

• These sessions are aimed at anyone that wants to try Open Water Swimming.

• They are for Non-Members wanting to try Open water swimming or Existing Members who are not Signed off.

• These sessions are lifeguarded and ideal for anyone who is new to Open water swimming.

• These session are not coached.

• Wetsuits are advised for anyone booking onto these sessions as a Non-Member or Non-signed off member - available to hire if required.

• If you are using a surf wetsuit please check it will float you, a 2mm swim wetsuit is equivalent to a 3+mm surf suit for buoyancy. If you are wearing a thin surf suit <2mm you may be asked to swim with a tow float or not be allowed to swim. Wetsuits should fit like a second skin to work properly.

• Bring warm-up gear including a change of clothes.

• The length of the session will vary subject to water temperature and weather conditions, but generally they are about an hour.

• Changing Rooms are available with limited capacity - obtain code from swim leader.

• Toilets will be open for you to use, not to be used for changing.

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A mandatory briefing will be delivered at the start of the session, however details are included with your booking information.

Any questions please email prior to your session.

Please ensure that if you are swimming in other locations that your swimming kit is Clean before entering the lake; this is to ensure Bio-safety in the lake.

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2025 OWS Sign-Off Assessments

To be able to swim at all the swim sessions available at the lake there are two things you must do:

1 - become a member of MWBC

2 - attend a OWS Sign-Off Assessment

• There is a one off fee for a sign-off assessment.

• Sign-off assessments generally take place at 18:15 on Wednesday evenings and 08:15 on Saturday mornings. Bookings open on the Sunday for the upcoming week.

• Any swimmer wishing to be assessed for signed off swimmer status MUST already be a current member of the club. You only need an assessment if you intend to swim at Non-Lifeguarded sessions. It is recommended that if you have not swum in open water previously, you book an Open to All swim session before booking an assessment.

• Junior swimmers must be 8 years old and accompanied in the water by a signed-off parent or guardian (talk to swim leaders for information about dispensation).

• Skins swimmers must have a tow float.

• Brightly coloured headwear suitable for swimming is mandatory for all.

• The time advertised is the start of the assessment, please ensure you arrive with enough time to get registered and get ready to swim.

Criteria for sign off:

• 400m swim (any stroke or speed)

• Display confidence in the water

• Understand your limitations

• Have no underlying medical conditions that could lead to increased risk to yourself or others

• (if not sure please discuss this with your GP and the Swim team)

• Agree to follow the Club and section rules that apply to the signed off swimmer sessions

Please ensure that if you are swimming in other locations that your swimming kit is Clean before entering the lake; this is to ensure Bio-safety in the lake.