2023 saw the 2nd year of coached open water taster and training sessions run by the Club at the beautiful Lenches Lakes in Evesham, in what looks like becoming an established regular summer activity.
33 swimmers aged 11 and up took part in 8 sessions held between May and August, suitable for swimmers trying open water for the very first time, as well as those with experience, looking to develop their skills further.
In the sessions swimmers learnt about safety, acclimatising to cold water, sighting, drafting and a range of skills and tactics associated with open water swimming and competing. 2023 also saw the introduction of 1k and 2k time trials, which proved a popular addition.
Kate Lloyd, the Club’s open water coach said: “we’re extremely fortunate to have had the use of such a fantastic venue together with their safety team. We’ve also had West Midlands Wetsuit Hire present at our sessions – enabling our swimmers to hire specialist open water wetsuits. It’s made it such a positive experience for everyone involved and has meant many more of our swimmers have been able to access this opportunity.
This is our 2nd year of offering open water taster and training sessions at the club and we now have a group of swimmers who have established a great set of skills and have really grown in confidence. We hope that some will take this further and will begin to enter open water events and competitions.”
Swimmers taking part in 2023 were: Annabel Cunningham, Caitlin Pridden, Carmen West, Charlotte Ciancio, Eden Eggleton, Ellis McMullen, Emily Clacher, Eva Anderson, Eva Holden, Evie Goodall, Ffion Lea, Freya Halsey, Harvey Barrett-Lloyd, Holly Hunt, Holly Saddler, Imogen Ciancio, Izzy Thorn, Jasmine Kilmartin, Khai Yang, Lincoln Lewitzkyi, Lois Challinor, Lucas Pedley, Lydia Cooper, Matthew Avery, Mia Worn, Orlando Grant, Rapha Rea, Robert Gearey, Sam Jenkins, Scarlett Joiner, Theodore Rogers, William Pridden, Zara Beaumont
