Open Water Swimming

Experience Open Water Wild Swimming Lagoon at Buckland Park Lake, Nr Reigate in Surrey

It's time to lose the lane ropes!

Enjoy the challenge of an open water swim. Commune with nature whilst achieving those personal goals, shedding those pounds and meeting like minded people. Cold water can increase energy levels, nerve endings stand up and your heart starts racing – it is the best possible way to get a natural high.

Swim times:

Sat, Sun, Tues 9 - 11am  - Wednesdays 3-4pm 

Water temp below 8 degrees.

Skin and Wetsuit swimmers all welcome but short 15 minutes slots apply for all at this time. We have to reduce risk of in water rescue and hypothermia which treatment requires shac team having to get closer than 2m to help aid the recovery. This helps reduce the risk of needing to do that.

The cold water has massive benefits both physically and mentally but has to be respected particularly after a break in acclimatisation. The short sessions also help us manage the re acclimatisation process carefully for our swimmers. 

LIMITED NUMBER OF SWIMMERS PER SESSION - SOCIAL DISTANCING AND SAFETY FIRST 

Combined with your experience as always.

All Swimming Sessions MUST be pre booked via the website.
Please note if we do not have any bookings on a session the lagoon maybe closed, if you want to swim it is essential that you book.
Please do not just turn up and presume you will be able to swim. 

You are Welcome to Book with us for swimming If:

1: You and all of your household are not showing any Covid 19 related symptoms and you are in general good health.

2: Your age 16 or above. (If under 16 and you have swum in our Junior sessions this summer you can now join adult sessions)

3: You have your own wetsuit and equipment (including bright coloured swim hat.

4. You can swim 500m continuously.

5. You have completed the booking form via the link below.

If you are new to open water swimming at the SHAC please click here to register before booking.

To book a cold water swim session please click here

The SHAC - Tier 4 rules.

In order for us to stay open and keep both you and the SHAC team safe please see rules below. 

1. Only people from Tier 4 can attend swim and paddling sessions.

2. Only come with up to 1 other person or people in your household. 

3. Swimming - 15 min rule applies - this limits the recovery time and allows us to prevent any grouping. This also reduces risk of in water rescues. 

4. Paddling with own board only and same rules as above apply. 

5. Please stick to all the social distancing and procedural rules we have put in place previously. 

6. Please do not attend if you or anyone in your household is displaying any symptoms.

For future bookings save the link below and use it to book your sessions.

https://booking.bookinghound.com/fe/booking?og=c71526ea-ca42-4c93-868d-b474a108aa6f&mode=a&uniqueId=91

Winter Swimming Advice:

No 1: wooly hat - we loose most heat through our heads. This is a quick and effective way of bringing up core temperature..
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No 2: Hot Drink - This helps warm the core temperature from the inside and if in a mug helps warm hands.
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No.3: Easy to get on warm Jacket like a #changerobe #dryrobe or #swimzi.

No 4: Start taking daily cold showers now to build up your bodies preparation and acclimatisation for the winter season ahead.

No 5: Be prepared with the right equipment: 

AS WE COME INTO WINTER TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE SHACS 10% DISCOUNT ON ALL ZONE 3 SWIMMING WETSUITS AND EQUIPMENT WITH THE SHAC  10% DISCOUNT PLEASE USE THIS LINK: HTTP://ZONE3-1510.REFR.CC/SURREYHILLSADVENTURE

As the water temperature drops we need to become more aware of the dangers. hypothermia can go unnoticed and set in fast so reduce your swim time, it becomes Less about the distance you swim and more about the benefits of the cold water both mentally and physically but we must become aware of any changes in our body as an indication that our time is up. Less is more.

Introduction to Open Water Swimming Courses now available under our new covid safe procedures: 

1:1 and 1:2 Introduction to Open Water Swimming courses also available at £99.00 per person, to book a 1:1 - 1:2 session please email info@theshac.co.uk 

For all our latest updates please follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/theshac.co.uk/posts/

Open Water Swimming Stroke Analysis:

If you are looking to improve your open water swimming techniques our Stroke Analysis session is a 1:1 
or 1:2 session with one of our OW swimming coaches. 
They will identify parts of your stroke that could be adjusted to improve your technique and efficiency and 
how to implement those change.

1:2:1, 2:2:1 & private group training for all abilities can be booked through our office at info@theshac.co.uk

Swimming Terms and Conditions:

1. Wet-suits must be warn in cold water conditions below 15 degrees. (Consent can be granted to swim suit free in cold water conditions if you have proven cold water acclimatization experience) If you do not have a wet suit we have ZONE 3 suits available to hire and purchase at the Lagoon.

2. Bright Swim Hats must also be warn at all times when in the water and can be purchased lagoon side if you do not have one.

3. If you have not swum in open water before please make sure you have completed an introduction to open water swimming course with The SHAC.

4. Consumption of alcohol or drugs before entering the water is strictly prohibited. We reserve the right to deny access to the water if any suspicion of drugs or alcohol use has taken place before entering the water.

5. Please make sure you bring a warm change of clothes and a hat for on both cold and sunny days.

Our Swimming Coaches

Our coaching team are STA Open water specific swim coaches trained by the best in the business and friend of The SHAC, double world champion Keri-Anne Payne.

The SHACs Coaches have years of teaching experience behind them and benefit from the most progressive approaches available in open water swimming today.