View from the water
Is it better to swim wild and free or pay to use a venue?
Last month, I visited Lake 32 in the Cotswold Water Park. If I lived closer, I’d be sorely tempted to become a member. The water is clean and clear. The location is scenic and tranquil. They have hot showers, heated changing rooms, a café and a vibrant community. There’s a water safety team to take care of you should something go wrong.
This set up – or something like it – is replicated around the UK. Open water venues are at the heart of outdoor swimming. From places originally used primarily by wetsuited triathletes in serious training, they have evolved to year-round swimming locations catering to everyone from casual dippers to marathon swimmers – and triathletes are still welcome, of course.