Open Water Swimming
Contact Nicola Waters: Active Waters Wild Swimming, 07481784413, nicola@activewaterswildswimming.co.uk
Lake Ashmore is a beautiful man-made lake with treated water to ensure all our users a safe and clean swim. The lake is approximately 1 mile in diameter and we have a designted swim area which is a marked loop of 800 meters.
Facilities
- Free Parking.
- Within the main clubhouse there are changing rooms with lockers and shower facilities. Please note however that these main facilities may be closed before the end of our open water swim sessions, so please do not leave your kit in the lockers.
- The clubhouse also offers a range of delicious snacks, hot food and drinks.
- Changing pods are available at the Active Waters open water area, with areas to leave your belongings.
NOWCA
Active Waters Wild Swimming is affiliated with NOWCA, which means that we use their safety system to ensure the safety of all our members.Swimmers can enjoy the open water assured that the NOWCA venue they swim at uses a proven and robust safety system based around having a raised awareness of YOU in the water.
Every NOWCA member swimmer receives a safety wristband which can be used to access a network of affiliated venues around the UK.
In order to swim with Active Waters Wild Swimming you will need to become a member in order to attend our sessions.
Head to:
select Lake Ashmore, click ‘become a member’ and then follow the instructions.
Once registered you will be given access to the Actio App where you can book all of your swim sessions.
Remember to select Lake Ashmore to pick up your wristband.
We do however encourage a trial session before becoming a member so you can come and visit the facilities, have a swim and decide whether this is the venue for you before committing. Membership is £15 per year and swim sessions are £7.50 per swim. Please contact nicola@activewaterswildswimming.co.uk to arrange a trial swim.
All swimmers must wear their NOWCA Safety Wristband every time they swim at our public swim sessions. It's your personal profile on your wrist that we use to scan you in and out of the water. As operators, we will know who and how many swimmers are in the water, at any time. This is important for managing your swim safety. For you as a swimmer, wearing your NOWCA Safety Wristband will speed your entry into the water plus record your swim time and distance. An email will be sent directly to yourself after your swim detailing all your stats, including distance and time.
Opening Times and Costs
The 2025 pen water swimming season will run from Sunday 27th April through to Sunday 28th September 2025.
Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays: 530pm-7pm
Saturdays: 1030am-1230noon
Sundays: 2pm-4pm
Please do give Active Waters Wild Swimming a follow on Facebook and Instagram as special events, clsoures and general news will be advertised on these platforms.
General Swim:
Adults: £7.50 per person
Children 14 and over who want to swim unguided: £7.50 (must be experienced open water swimmers)
Children under 14, Saturday and Sundays only: £5 (must swim with an adult)
*All children MUST have their own NOWCA membership to be able to swim with us. We will allow one ‘try before you buy’ for children who want to experience open water for the first time.
Caniswim:
£10 per one person and one dog
BN Swim:
£10 per person
Introductory to Open Water Swimming:
£25 per person
(Maximum of 10 swimmers in a class)
1:1 coaching:
£50 for one person
Private Groups:
Please contact Active Waters Wild Swimming direct for more details on private group sessions.
WHAT WE OFFER
General Members Swim:
Times detailed above.
These sessions are open to all Active Waters Wild Swimming and NOWCA members and are bookable via the Actio App.
You may arrive at any point between these hours, however please ensure that the finish time stated is the time in which you must have vacated the water.
If you are new to our facilities and would like to come and give it a go, please contact us on nicola@activewaterswildswimming.co.uk so we can arrange a free trial swim.
Introductory to Open Water Swimming:
These sessions are ideal for those that are new to Open Water Swimming as we will guide you through all the fundamentals to include coping with cold water, water safety, stroke skills and progressions. We do all this whilst enjoying a calm and relaxed swim tour of the lake.
You will need a wetsuit and a brightly coloured swim hat.
You must be able to swim 300 meters in a pool.
These sessions are not for non-swimmers.
Minimum age is 15.
Dates for our group introduction sessions are detailed on Active Waters Wild Swimming Facebook and Instagram pages. Alternatively please contact nicola@activewaterswildswimming.co.uk
1:1 Coaching:
Alternatively, if a group intro session is not for you, you might benefit more from a 1:1 coaching session. Active Waters Wild Swimming also specializes in working with those that are a little less confident and will adapt sessions accordingly to your own specific needs, whether that’s developing breathing skills, working on specific strokes or just needing that reassurance from having someone in the water with them.
1:1 sessions are also ideal for those looking to improve their skill.
CaniSwim:
In 2024 CaniSwim was introduced at Active Waters Wild Swimming and was a huge success that we have created more sessions for the 2025 season!
These sessions are designed for you to come and introduce your dog to water, teach them to swim and to spend some quality time with them within a relaxed, safe and calm environment.
These sessions are exclusive to you and your canine so you can relax and enjoy the lake with others that share the same interest as you.
These are alsoa great opportunity if you are competing in CaniSwim competitions as they give you and your dog the space to train, in a safe environment.
Non reactive dogs only please.
Ensure that you bring fresh water and treats.
All dog mess must be cleared.
Upon entering the site all dogs must be on a lead until they reach the designated swim area.
Sessions are available to book on the Actio App or alternatively please email nicola@activewaterswildswimming.co.uk for more details and how to book.
NEW: BN Swim:
New to the 2025 season we are introducing a British Naturists Swim to Active Waters.
These sessions are exclusive to BN members and those involved with naturism.
Please email nicola@activewaterswildswimming.co.uk for more details and how to book.
Location
We are based on the site of Liquid Skillz but have our own area, situated to the right hand side of the lake.
Please use the main car park and walk directly to the open water swimming meeting area which is down the gravel road situated to the right hand side of the wakeboarding hut.
Please arrive at lakeside no more than 15 mins before your swim slot.
A member of our team will be there to greet you.
You may be asked to wait if you arrive any earlier, so please be patient with our team and we will get you in swimming as quick and as safely as possible.
The swim meeting point is set up with pods and a gazebo for changing and storing belongings, together with benches and log seats for your comfort. We also have a gorgeous firepit ready for those chillier days.
There are marked entry and exit signs in and out of the water but please check in and out of the water with the spotter on the bank to scan your wristband. The spotter will also give you a safety briefing if you have not swam with us before or if there are additional safety measures in place for the session.
If you are new to our open water swimming sessions please let the team know. We will spend time with you going through our procedures to make sure you get the most out of your swim.
Safety
Active Waters Wild Swimming have your safety at the very centre of everything that we do.
Lifeguards will be stationed out on the water together with ‘spotters’ on the bank whom are watching and counting throughout the session.
If you need assistance once out in the water please roll over onto your back and wave and shout if you can at our safety team. A safety kayak will come over to you. Please note for this reason BACK STROKE swimming is not allowed at our venue. This is of vital importance and one that must adhered to. If you are seen swimming on your back and you are not in need of assistance, you will be asked to leave. The safety of all our swimmers is imperative and time cannot be spent dealing with non compliant swimmers.
The swim route is marked out by clearly visible swim buoys.
When you leave the water please ensure you have been seen by a member of the safety team.
Respect
Remember all of our team work on a voluntary basis and aim to provide you with the very best experience possible, so please be patient with them.
Rudeness will not be tolerated and will result in you being asked to leave the site immediately.
We pride ourselves on running a fun, sociable, relaxed and enjoyable environment for everyone. We love seeing you guys and always enjoy a chat. We like to feel that we are all approachable so if you need anything at all please come and talk with us.
We also leave our egos at the carpark and are inclusive to all our amazing swimmers. We do not want anyone feeling like they are not good enough, not fit enough, not swimming fast enough etc etc….this is YOUR experience and YOUR time….and we hope we have created an environment in which you can switch off to the pressures of life and just enjoy.
ADDITIONAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS
- NOWCA wristbands must be worn at all times at our swim sessions. If you lose your band you will be charged for a new one.
- Minor cuts and abrasions must be covered up with a plaster. If you have any deep cuts you must not swim.
- Do not swim if you are unwell.
- Do not swim if you are taking medication which may affect your ability to swim safely.
- If you are unwell after open water swimming and suffering with flu-like symptoms or headaches please see your GP ASAP and inform them you have been swimming in open water.
- Try not to ingest any water while swimming in open water.
- Do not eat after open water swimming until you have washed your hands in fresh water.
- It is compulsory to wear brightly coloured swim hats so you can clearly be seen in the water, (NO HAT, NO SWIM).
- Wetsuits are optional, however we recommended you wear a wetsuit especially if you are a novice open water swimmer or not accustom to swimming in cold water.
- Swim tow floats are compulsory if you swim without a wetsuit on.
- You must check in with the open water organiser on arrival and check out directly after exciting the water.
- Please swim in groups or pairs for you own safety.
- Please read safety notes on the notice board at every session.
- If you are new to our sessions please make the safety team aware of this so they can give you a safety briefing.
- Please be alert to the environment and other swimmers around you and make the organisers aware of any concerns you may have or if you see other swimmers in distress.
- It is your responsibility to check the organiser has your emergency contact details.
- Under 14s must swim with an adult at all times. 14-18 year olds can swim on their own providing they are experienced open swim with one of our safety team.
- Back stroke is not permitted at any time during the session.
- Please do not come to our swim sessions if you are symptomatic of Covid-19, living in a household with Covid -19 infection OR if you are classified as extremely vulnerable on health grounds.
