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Wild Swimmer Pete's Pages
or
Welcome to my swimming pages,
covering outdoor swimming spots mostly around the North West of England.
All sites featured are open to the public and accessible at least on foot or bike
via public rights-of-way.
All water should be
treated with the utmost respect. What is a gentle, supportive, relaxing
medium can also be a potential hazard (note: "can be" not
"is"), so good old common sense must be exercised at all times.
Water is heavy and dense and once it's on the move little can stop it: you go
with it! The following are my suggestions for a safe water experience based on
a lifetime love of water in all its manifestations:
1. Don't
swim in open water unless you are a competent swimmer. The only drownings I
know of involved children capable of swimming just a few strokes. All
local swimming pools offer swimming courses which are an investment for life.
They are life-savers, not just for swimmers but also for anglers, boaters and others
whose work or play takes them on or near water. I had professional
tuition at school and when I started to swim I actually looked forward to my
weekly Games period!
2. Breast
stroke is by far the best for swimming in open water. If you get cramp in
your legs you will still be able to swim using only your arms. You must
also be able to float. Remember, there's no convenient poolside to hang
on to if you need to rest. If you become proficient in breast stroke then
it's easy (and important) to learn the "lifesaving stroke" used to
support and carry to safety anyone in difficulty.
3. Contrary
to claims by RoSPA and the rest of the safety nannies, open water is neither "freezing" nor
"icy". Even during a typically miserable British summer, rivers and
lakes in my locality have a minimum temperature of 16degC (61degF) and
typically reach 21degC (70degF) or higher during spells of hot weather. While
warmer than the seas around our coasts this is still cooler than a heated pool,
and can lead to cramp in susceptible bathers. If you feel cold, get out
and dry off. You can always have another swim later. If it's early
(or late) in the season and the water IS chilly (below 15degC) always enter
slowly - NEVER dive in as the shock of sudden immersion in cold water can cause
cardiac arrest. In fact I'd suggest that unless you've undergone
cold-acclimatisation it's advisable to wear a wetsuit in water below 15C. I
always take an accurate thermometer when I'm swimming outdoors, and my
temperature records can be seen here: 2005 , 2006,
2007 and now 2008. All of those readings
have been taken by a swimmer prior to entering the water, and show up RoSPA's
"expert advice" for what it is. Inaccurate nonsense based on
prejudiced opinion formed from the viewpoint a desk.
4. It's
best not to swim alone, but if like me you usually have no choice you must
remember that if things go pear-shaped there will be no-one to help. Take
extreme care: Stay near the edge within your depth. That way
if you get into trouble you can always stand up and wade out. Also
consider wearing a buoyancy aid - bad for street cred but if there's no-one
about, so what? Could save your life.
5. If
swimming in a river or lake, always enter the water via a beach or low
bank. Remember, you've got to get out again.
6. Don't
show off. It's all very well swimming out to the middle of a river or lake, but
bear in mind that you've got to make the return journey!
7. Never
dive unless there's adequate depth (reckoned to be at least 10 feet for an
adult), and the water's clear enough for you to see to the bottom. Better
still, don't dive at all: most injuries to wild swimmers involve the neck and
back, and are caused by diving into shallow water. If you do have to jump
into the water for any reason, it's best to "bomb"- your backside has
more padding than your head!
8. To
quote the "Hitch-Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy"- Don't Panic. If
you feel a panic attack coming on, turn on your back, close your eyes, breath
slow and deep, relax and just float until the feeling passes - which it
will. While floating slowly "kick" your way back to the water's
edge, looking back occasionally in case you run into the bank head first - it
wouldn't be the first time I've swum backwards, misjudged my distance and
smacked headfirst into the side of a swimming pool. If you are prone to
panic, stay near the water's edge within your depth.
9. Never
swim or bathe immediately after a meal. During digestion blood is
diverted away from the muscles to the gut and attempting to swim could result
in cramp. You could also suffer the embarrassment of throwing up in
public - especially if in a crowded pool! Wait for at least an hour. NEVER
EVER swim whilst under the influence of alcohol.
This is one of the best ways to commit suicide.
10. Don't
swim in canals (it's illegal) or dirty ponds. Both may harbour disease and
rubbish. Go find a clean flowing river, a lake or even a river estuary (see below!)
11. If
swimming in an estuary, check this out first
. Don't get trapped on sand- or mudbanks or against cliffs by the
incoming tide. If you enjoy sea bathing buy a copy of the local tide
tables, available from yacht chandlers and angling shops, or check here. I also have a
"tide watch" which displays graphically the state of the tide in my
area. If you are on unfamiliar ground always seek advice from a knowledgeable local. Bear in mind that estuaries are frequently fragile habitats. As humans
are part of the planet's fauna we have the moral as well as legal right to go
into them. However remember the good beach-users' code:
TAKE NOTHING but photographs.
LEAVE NOTHING but your (bare!) footprints.
WASTE NOTHING but your own time.
Avoid disturbing wildlife - there's plenty of room for everyone.
12. On a
patrolled beach, ALWAYS take the advice of the lifeguards and swim in the
designated area. For other beaches, see above .
13. If
you are a stranger to the area, check with the locals. They will know
best where it's safe to swim. Many open-water swimming places have been
swum for generations. Always remember that safe-seeming locations may not
actually live up to their appearance!
14. Always
keep children under close supervision. While toy inflatables are pretty
safe on lakes and small inland rivers, they are potentially lethal on the open
sea. Don't let the kids on the water in any form of boat unless they can
swim.
15. Always
be courteous to other water users but don't be intimidated. On tidal
waters, public waters, or waters with public navigation rights you have as much
right to be there as they do. If necessary make your presence known
by waving, or wearing a brightly coloured (Day-Glo if possible) swimming
cap. While these may look and feel like an oversized condom, a human head
is otherwise not the most visible of objects, particularly in choppy
water. In law a wild swimmer is "navigating" and our sport helps
maintain navigation rights - possibly another reason for the hostility
displayed by anglers and other organised vested interests. Even where
there are no navigation rights, there may be an established historic right to
swim, which must be maintained. Same as with public footpaths: use it or
lose it!
16. Canoeists
and windsurfers are our brothers-in-arms and every bit as vulnerable to injury
and drowning as we are. They also have to put up with much the same hostility
and general aggro. Neither craft is maneuverable as an almost-naked
swimmer and they are also at the mercy of wind and currents, so please give
them room. If swimming in water with rapidly changing depth, always allow
canoes and windsurfers the deeper water to pass safely.
17. Some
antisocial lowlife regard bodies of water to be a convenient waste disposal
facility. If you don't know what's on the bottom, or there are possibly
sharp rocks or stones, wear "water mocs" or an old pair of trainers
when swimming or paddling. Anyone seen dumping on beaches or into rivers
or lakes should be reported to the local authority and the Environment Agency
(0800 80 70 60). Rubbish is not only unpleasant, it can endanger humans and
wildlife. Penalties are quite rightly severe.
18. Swimming
in large breakers can lead to terminal embarrassment. One year while
swimming off the Algarve I was picked up by a huge Atlantic breaker and slung
up the beach on my face, digging a six-foot furrow in the sand with my
nose. Always wear secure swimming trunks in heavy seas - I have seen a
swimmer forcibly parted from his trunks. You have been warned!!
Some of my favourite
spots:
NOTE: the pictures are large and may take a little while to load, but I think
you'll find them worth the wait!
Hatchmere Hatchmere Lake in Delamere Forest,
Cheshire.
River Weaver The Weaver Estuary, out
on the bleak and starkly beautiful Frodsham Marsh. Peace, quiet and a large expanse
of warm, safe water you'll only be sharing with the odd sailing dinghy. .
Abergele-Pensarn Beach The North Wales coast
New Brighton beaches Back in business now they've
cleaned up the Mersey and put back the sand!
River Dee, Eccleston a picturesque swimming spot
just outside Chester.
River Dee, Chester City Centre You wouldn't
believe you actually were in the city centre.(Under construction)
River Dane, a clean, cool trout stream.
The Great Swim An annual celebration of open-water
swimming held in and around London.
Into water, sand and mud? Take a look at my River
Estuaries page.
Winter
Swimming: It's cool to be cool, and you get to give two fingers to the
British winter and the Health and Safety freaks.
If in winter you'd prefer the comfort of a heated pool, Stockham Lodge Racquet
and Health Club in Palacefields, Runcorn have a special rate for we old far...,
sorry! - swimmers aged 54 or over. Their "Senior Swimmer" scheme
costs just £18.00 per month, for which you get the use of the pool, spa bath,
steam room and sauna between 11am and 3pm, Monday to Friday inclusive. The 50'
pool is about 7' at the deep end, with 105.6 lengths making a mile. They even
let me try out (OK, play with!) my hi-tech toys! If you live in Runcorn or
within easy travelling distance, give them a call on 01928 790302. You never
know, you could end up having me talk your hind leg off when the weather's
cold! Click on the pic for a better view.
External links
River and Lake Swimming Association - fighting for swimmers' rights. Free
membership: you can even join up online.
Swim
Club Forums. The UK's premier swimmers' discussion site.
The self-appointed,
unaccountable, so-called "safety watchdog", the Royal Society for the
Prevention of Accidents, considers the best way to avoid tragedies in the water
is to impose ruthlessly enforced swimming bans. You'll find a much more
commonsense approach to water safety on the Maritime and
Coastguard Agency's "SeaSmart" website.
The History of
Swimming. I can heartily recommend this DVD to anyone who loves the
water. Would make a fantastic Christmas or birthday pressie for the
swimmer in your life!
Liverpool
Heartbeat Beneficiaries of the annual cross-Mersey charity
swim. The 2007 event has yet to be finalised; for details and entry
forms call City of Liverpool Swimming Club’s Open Water Sec. Martina on
0151-644 7576 evenings up to 9pm
Oliver Merrington's very comprehensive list of
lidos and outdoor pools that need our support!!
Swimming Holes Wales The website
of the Welsh Wild Swimmers' Club.
The UK Rivers Guidebook Guide
to UK rivers primarily for paddlers (canoeists). They suffer the same
access problems and harassment as we do, and would appreciate any info on any
"new" waters that we may come across.
Canoeist's correspondence with anglers' spokesgob Martin Salter MP. Speaks volumes about the real reason the Establishment want us banned from the water.
The British Canoe Union's Rivers Access Campaign, which aims to open up the 98% of open water in England and Wales at present closed to swimmers, canoeists, boaters and walkers.
Website of Frodsham based Andy Harmer,
wildlife expert and photographer here
Weaver
Sailing Club Situated on the River Weaver in Frodsham, Cheshire. WSC
have a brand new clubhouse, slipway and storage facilities for all kinds of
craft including canoes, kayaks and windsurfers. They also have a water ski-ing
section. For details of the river itself look on my River Weaver page.
Swimtrek Just
like walking holidays, except that you swim everywhere. From the warm
Mediterranean to the - er - bracing Scottish coast. They also organise swimming
holidays in the English Lakes and the Thames.
Swim Sites Everything for water lovers in
one place.
Dan Earthquake Open water
swimmer, weightlifter, fitness guru and hospital radio presenter.
Rob Woollen Personal Training. NW based
personal training service that also provides qualified personal trainers, pool
lifeguards and gym instructors on a locum basis.
"Swim at the Prom" The campaign to restore
swimming in Maldon Marine Lake.
More
to come. Please Email any
suggestions or additions.
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