The summer is now here (kind of) and we know it can be tempting to put on your trunks or costume and head to your nearest open water. We want you to enjoy open water swimming but we also want you to be safe.
That’s why our Beyond Swim accredited venues are there to give you the reassurance you need to swim safely. Beyond Swim accredits venues to ensure they provide best-in-class facilities and safety, so that you can enjoy a great open water swimming experience.
If you are heading to the nearest beach or open water, our friends at Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS UK) have provided some things to look out for before you think about jumping into the water.
Look out for lifeguards
If you’re looking for a place to cool off, always find a lifeguarded swimming site.
It’s colder than it looks
Water at both open water and inland sites is often much colder than it looks, cold water can affect your ability to swim and self-rescue.
Don’t go too far
Always swim parallel to the shore, that way you’re never too far away from it.
It’s stronger than it looks
Currents in the water can be very strong. If you find yourself caught in a riptide – don’t swim against it – you’ll tire yourself out. Swim with the current and call for help.
Bring a friend
Always bring a friend when you go swimming so if anything goes wrong you’ve got someone there to help.
You can find all the latest information and toolkits created by RLSS UK for swimming safely here.
And Remember…
The Beyond Swim pass allows you to get the best possible experience from open water swimming. Simply select your chosen Beyond Swim venue and you will receive a 20% discount off the venues PAYG swim price, every time you swim.
Need more open water tips? You can read our Getting Started in Open Water guide. Or if you feel ready to take on your first open water swim, find your local Beyond Swim venue.