With Drowning Prevention Week coming up (15 – 22 June 2024), our Sport Centre Manager and former lifeguard Jacob Garrett shares his advice on how to stay safe when enjoying outdoor swimming this summer.
The skies are churning with the faint signs of a summer breeze and new adventures to be had in the beautiful county of Somerset. But it isn’t quite here yet and the exam period can feel like an eternity amongst the stress of revision, with limited time outside of exams. Don’t worry, the county has you covered! Within a one hour’s bus trip you can reach Clevedon Marine Lake, an infinity swimming lake right on the edge of the Bristol Channel. Another option of travel for the more adventurous is a cycle trek which takes roughly one hour twenty minutes. This is a brilliant way to spend the best part of a day with friends and allows you the headspace you need without taking too much of your time to enjoy it.
As you can see from the map, it starts from the Richmond Building which is home to the University of Bristol’s swimming pool. Here you can get your confidence up and work on swimming strokes in our adult lessons or casual swim depending on your level of ability. This is vital to your awareness of the water and understanding of being safe when engaging in an outdoor swim.
Typically, lifeguards roam the water’s edge, and this makes swimming safe and fun. However, most outdoor swimming lakes such as Clevedon do not have these and so it is important to be conscious of safe practice. Before you plan an outdoor swimming trip, read the Water Safety Advice by the RLSS and find out everything you need to know about open water swimming safety and tips.
Open water swimming is a totally different experience to indoor swimming pools. Here are some top tips to stay safe when enjoying open water swimming:
- When entering outdoor water, take some long, deep breaths and use the steps to gradually enter the water. If you decide to jump straight in, this can be dangerous due to cold water shock.
- Suntan lotion is also a must. You may think you’re not burning but water magnifies the light and increases the risk of getting sunburnt.
- If you are not a confident swimmer, stay near to the edge and do not go to deeper waters where you cannot stand up.
- Stay hydrated with plenty of water and take some easy to digest foods, such as bananas and nuts, to keep energy levels high.
University of Bristol Swimming Pool
The University swimming pool is available to students, staff and the community for lane and casual swimming, or lessons, on a membership or pay-as-you-go basis. Book a swim session with us!