Big Chill Swim 2013 - New open water swim in The Lake District
Open Water Swimming is now more popular than ever before, but if you thought that open water swimming is all about warm summer days then think again.
Until now there hasn’t been an official winter open water swim in the Lake, District, Cumbria, but that’s all about to change with the coming of a brand new event the Big Chill Swim.
Cumbria’s very first official winter open water swim, will take place at the Low Wood Bay Resort Hotel & Marina, Windermere, on 2nd February 2013…the question is are you brave enough to give it a go in the depths of winter?
The Big Chill Swim chillswim.com is an all new Winter Swimming Race – in freezing water, no wetsuits are allowed, it’s for solo and team racers over distances of 30m, 60m, 450m, and with relay swims of 4 x 30 metres, which are great fun for company teams and groups of friends.
But be warned the water temperature is expected to be under 5°c, but if it's frozen the ice will be broken! Basically the colder the water the better.
Surely this can’t be for real?
Too right it is! Cold Water Swimming has a long tradition in the UK, with classics like the ‘The Peter Pan Cup taking place in the Serpentine, London, on Christmas Day.
The Windermere event is associated with the International Winter Swimming Association (IWSA), and the organisers are aiming to get the Big Chill Swim onto the World Championship circuit in the future.
IWSA races are very popular in Europe, the World Championships are held biannually, with the 2012 event being held in Latvia, and the next championship event taking place in Finland in 2014. The President of IWSA,
Mariia Yrjo-Koskinen from Finland, president of the IWSA will be attending and taking part in the 2013 Big Chill Swim, as will swimmers from all over the globe, with swimmers from warmer climes like South Africa already registering!
Entries are open now!
Why not give it a go? After all the Big Chill Swim is a must event for those who love the great outdoors and with the added bonus of being set in the beautiful and iconic surroundings of Windermere, in the Lake District.
The swim area at the Low Wood Bay Marina, in the heart of the English Lake District, is being reconfigured to create an outdoor 30m pool area, with 4 lanes and great spectator viewing. The races will take place throughout the day, with plenty of action for spectators.
The four star hotel will also host two evening functions, which are also open to non-participants. The first, on Friday 1 February is a special screening of the film 'Winter Swimming' by Jack Bright, a story about winter swimming in Czech Republic and a talk by Ram Barkai, an internationally renowned ice swimmer from South Africa. Following the race on Saturday 2 February there will be a post-race evening celebratory meal and barn dance.
Tickets for both are available from the event website.
The separate events are:
30m penguin dip (£12)
Ideal for novice winter swimmers, a non timed, no pressure swim - any style acceptable!
One width of the marina.30m breaststroke (£15)
Competitive head up breaststroke race, all types of hats welcome! Races will be one width of the marina and held in age group divisions.
60m freestyle (£15)
Competitive freestyle race. Races will be two widths of the marina and held in age group divisions. No tumble turns allowed.
4 x 30m relay (£50)
A competitive yet fun team event, any swim style, mixed teams only (one person of opposite gender). Each participant will swim one width of the marina for their team.
450m endurance swim (£25)*
For experienced cold water swimmers only. A huge endurance challenge! Only touch turning allowed for 15 widths of the marina. Participants must provide summary of cold water training and experience during their registration. Minimum requirement is to swim 1km in water less than 6 degrees before the race, including witness current email/phone number contact details. This endurance swim race has limited entries. Chill Swim reserve the right to refuse entry to swimmers who do not have sufficient experience (please don't be offended it is for the safety of the event).
Prizes will be awarded to the fastest time in each age group per event, as well as for best dressed 'traditional' swimmers in the penguin swim and for best dressed supporter.
Everyone is welcome to come along, the minimum age to participate is 16 years old on the day of the event and there is no upper age limit!
Entries will close at midday on Wednesday 30 January, unless the entry limit is reached before this.
So what are you waiting for dive in…Welcome to the world of cold water swimming!
Andrea Runkee, Cumbria Tourism’s Adventure Capital Project Manager said: ‘’Cumbria is home to lakes, meres, waters, and tarns making it a natural home for open water swimming. The Big Chill Swim will give people the chance to try the uplifting experience of winter swimming, something that should be experienced by everyone. Events like this showcase what the UK's Adventure Capital, the Lake District, Cumbria, has to offer, they whet the appetite for future adventures. Whichever event you choose to do in the Big Chill Swim, you will experience the camaraderie of cold water swimming, and can truly say that you have taken part in something on the wild side in 2013."
Director of Chill Swim - Colin Hill said: ‘’We are really excited about bringing The Big Chill Swim to the Lake District. This event is already attracting swimmers from around the world as well as all over the UK, as the event is a wonderful challenge combining open water and winter swimming in the beautiful English Lakes which makes for an amazing weekend experience. For those new to winter swimming the shorter distances are still hugely rewarding and the team events are great fun for friends, clubs or companies to take part in. The longer swims are available for those experienced in winter swimming. Also just watching the swims as a spectator is great fun! We look forward to the Big ChillsSwim becoming established as one of the ‘must do’ International winter swimming events in the coming years.”
To find out more about the Big Chill Swim, visit chillswim.com.
The official event hotel and venue partner Low Wood Bay Resort & Marina have special offers for competitors, have agreed a special room rate to all participants taking part in the Big Chill Swim. An ideal base from which your family and friends can watch all the action.
To reserve your room now call 08458 503 502 and quote: Chill Swim.
Package prices are £179.00 for two people for two nights Bed & Breakfast for Friday 1st/Saturday 2nd February or Saturday 2nd/Sunday 3rd February.
For more information about Cumbria, the UK’s Adventure Capital, visit golakes.co.uk/adventure-capital/lake-district-outdoors.aspx
For information about the Lake District, Cumbria, visit GoLakes.co.uk.
