Open Water Training & Familiarisationsessionsat Henleaze Lake

Open Water training & familiarisationsessionsat Henleaze Lake

Lake Road, Henleaze, Bristol BS10 5HG

Saturday From 9am to 11am

Briefing Note/ Information@ June 2016

IntroductionThis note is for reference for anticipated arrangements, and for briefing by Event manager /Lead Superintendent to swimmers/observers / coaches, prior to session.

The Event Manager will liaise withthe swimming Club re expectationsof training session.

General information – Bristol Penguins

Event manager HSC lead superintendent
Number of guests to ascertain 20 -30 swimmers?, Club coaches, parents etc total #?
Car parking – say only 10 spaces in Lake available > thereforesome use of outside roads for parking
Signing in of everyone coming (from8.30am)
Charge £4 each - for everyone (one cheque or card payment from SC to save time) –Please advise how you wish to pay.
Thereafter verbal briefing to swimmers /guestsbefore swim session)
Exclusive use of Lake from 9.00am to 10.00am (NBHSC club members may be present from 10am)
Session to ends by approximately 11noon
Buoys down middle of Lake to approx 90mtrs (nb up to 80 metres steps on both sides of Lake).which provides a training course. For some training pontoon can be used as starting board

Guest leaflet attached for information – Please note Non-swimming juniors are not admitted - This includes the family members of the participants.
Swimmers should be able to swim at least 50m in Lake conditions - all swimmers will initially have to take HSC 50metres test without wet suits (after swim test wet suits can be worn)
No alcohol permitted at Henleaze Lake
Bring warm clothing to put on both before and after swimming

Conditions–. Essentialswimmers should appreciate an important difference with this training session - Henleaze Lake is Open Water,ie different to indoor pool conditions

Water Temperatureof the Lake is anticipated to be not less than 16oC/17oC (63oF +)

Swimming Area – The training area is anticipated to be generally confined to thearea from pontoon, adjacent to the ladies changing room,up to a turn buoy/s at approximately 80/ 90 metres.

Buoys will be placed down middle of lake training area. During swim training session/s swimmers will be expected to swim close to the buoys,and in one direction (keeping away from Lake edges);

There will be float lines / buoys on both sides to identify any jutting rocks.

In addition recreational swimming in the Lake

Diving boards –comprise a floating pontoon, 2 spring boards and a platform boards (at 5 7.5 metres) –availability dependent of water depth

Weather conditions – if rain / drizzle is expected gazebos will be providedfor guests’shelter

HSC Superintendents – Anticipated there will be approximately 2HSC Superintendents on duty withapproximately 2 of them at Lakesideavailable for questions during and after training session. You will provide 2 further coaches to observe and monitor the water.

Open Water focus It is hoped these training sessions will prompt Gcasa Clubs to consider participation in Open Water events(including West ASA champs. (Weymouth (end June) and National Champs at Rother Valley, near Sheffield (end July)

Henleaze Swimming Club is a charity limited by guarantee, registered in England & Wales Company No 7011983, Charity No 1132633 Registered Office:Henleaze Lake, Lake Road, Bristol, BS10 5HG

Henleaze Swimming Club

Information for Guests

Welcome to Henleaze Lake. We hope that you will enjoy your visit.

Please take time to read these information notes. If you have any queries, your host or a superintendent should be able to answer them.

A copy of the full Information and Health and Safety leaflet is displayed in each changing room. Copies can be obtained from the superintendents.

About the Lake

HenleazeLake is a disused quarry. The sides of the lake are steeply shelving, sharp, jagged and irregular. It is not possible to stand on the Lake’s bottom at any point.
The water is liable to be colder than you are used to.
Visibility in the water is poor.
Access to the water is by steps placed around the edge of the swimming area.
Beyond the swimming limit the Lake is used for fishing.

Water safety

Do not swim immediately after eating a meal or consuming alcohol. You should not swim if feeling unwell or recovering from an illness. Do not stay in the water if you begin to feel cold, experience cramp or are fatigued.
Hazard and safety information boards and safety equipment are provided at various points throughout the Lake.
Non-swimming juniors are not admitted. Swimmers should be able to swim at least 50m in lake conditions. Junior guests must pass a 50metre swimming test.
Guests should be supervised by a senior member of the Club at all times.
Swimmers must not go beyond the swimming limit.
Diving and jumping are not permitted apart from at the diving boards and the pontoon. Never enter the Lake from the edges other than by the steps.
Running is not permitted on the boards, on the pontoon or around the lake side.
When diving or jumping from the boards or pontoon beware of swimmers.
Do not swim under the diving boards while they are in use.
Do not swim under, to the sides or rear of the pontoon. Do not rock the pontoon.
Members and their guests are required to cooperate with the superintendents at all times

If you dive deeply you may touch the bottom. Take care.

Water quality

Algae and pollen in the water may cause minor allergic reaction to skin, eyes and nose in some people.
The water is regularly tested by the Health Protection Agency. Bacterial counts may increaseafter exceptional rain storms. We shall inform you if we should know of any concerns about water quality safety.
Do not swim if you have an open wound or broken skin.
If you develop flu like symptoms within a few days of swimming in the Lake, seek medical advice and inform the doctor that you have been swimming in open water.

Finally - Thank you for reading this information leaflet. We hope that you will enjoy your visit to the Lake.

11 April 2013 – subject to finalisation