To support athletes of all ages, interested in trying open water swimming and developing the key skills required for competition, the North West Region, with support from ‘OpenSwimUK’, launched a series of Open Water Introduction Taster Sessions ahead of the upcoming Regional Open Water Championships which will take place at the same venue on the 27th of June.

A total of 32 athletes registered to take part in these exciting sessions, held at Sale Water Park, the aim being primarily to provide Regional competitive swimmers a safe, structured opportunity to experience ‘open water swimming’ for the first time, or to build confidence before competing

The first group of sessions took place in the afternoon on Sunday 17 May.  Conditions started off bright and calm, providing an ideal environment for the first group of swimmers to get comfortable in the water.  However, later in the afternoon, the weather turned – for the second group, bringing several heavy showers that left parents and spectators rather wet. The athletes, of course, were already in the lake and completely unfazed by the changing conditions.

Despite the mixed weather, the sessions were a great success. Swimmers were introduced to a range of essential open water skills, including:

• Acclimatisation – understanding how to enter the water safely, manage temperature changes, and remain calm and controlled.

• Drafting – learning how to position themselves efficiently behind or alongside other swimmers.

• Turning techniques – practising buoy turns and maintaining momentum around markers.

• Mass start experience – simulating the busy, energetic start of an open water race.

• Course navigation – completing laps of a short course set out on the lake to build confidence and spatial awareness.

The feedback from athletes, although being cold – was extremely positive, with many expressing excitement about the next session early June, and being able to progress and take part in the Regional competition taking place on the 27th June.

The competition is proving more successful year on year, with already 73% of the available 200 spaces already booked!  With entries due to close on the 10th June, anyone wishing to take part is encouraged to enter as soon as possible.

Full information on the 2026 competition can be found HERE

Spaces are still available on our ‘Pre-Competition Open Water Swimming Familiarisation Session’ which is due to take place on Saturday 20th June and will be allocated on a ‘first come first served’ basis – to find out more CLICK HERE

Thank you to OpenSwimUK for supporting the Region with these sessions.