How can I swim at Bowmoor?
Open Water Swimming is very popular, as such we currently have a two year waiting list for joining.
Swimming family membership allows the whole family to swim, use the clubhouse facilities and camp on the club grounds.
Swimming individual membership allows an individual to swim in the lake and use the clubhouse facilities, but not camp.
Swimming membership does not allow members to sail, SUP, kayak, canoe, board, rent or store equipment.
All members can swim in the lake and must follow the swimming safety guidance, in our operating manual here.
When can I swim at Bowmoor?
Open water swimming is allowed at only ay specified times to ensure separation from watercraft. The orange flag must be raised, whilst swimming.
For information about swimming at other times see Activity Programme.
If there are any powerboats on the lake or in the process of launching then swimmers must NOT swim in the rectangle space between Buoys 11 and 12 and the shore.
We recommend that you swim in pairs. To find a swim partner or find out when others will be swimming, take a look at the Bowmoor Open Water Swimming group on Facebook.
Being Visible
You must hoist the orange flag kept in the clubhouse entrance before setting off to indicate there are swimmers in the water and take it down when the last swimmer exits the water.
All swimmers must wear high visibility swimming caps and tow swimming floats.
Exceptionally, elite swimmers training in designated swimming-only periods need not use a tow float.
Swimming is allowed in daylight hours only.
Exceptionally groups of no less than 6 experienced swimmers can conduct full-moon swims with all participants wearing tow buoys and lights, escorted by a canoe/paddle craft, and only in low risk prevailing weather conditions.
All swimmers under 16-year-old must always wear high visibility swimming caps, tow swimming floats and swim in close company with an adult capable of providing assistance if required.
Prior to joining the club all swimmers must declare that they are competent swimmers capable of swimming 400m.
Before going swimming each member must carry out a risk assessment to determine that it is safe for them to go swimming bearing in mind their experience, capability, the temperature of the water, the strength of the wind and the height of the waves.
