A Richmondshire swimming club has taken its training outdoors in response to the rising cost of hiring a swimming pool.
Richmond Dales Amateur Swimming Club switched to open-water sessions at Ellerton Lake during the summer — and the move has proved so successful that the club plans to continue until October.
The initiative was launched with the help of a £350 grant from Broadacres Housing Association’s Community and Sustainability Fund.
Club chair Liz Byrne admitted organisers had initially been unsure how members would respond to the change.
“We were a bit apprehensive about how people would respond but it has been fantastic,” she said.
“On the first night 30 turned up and it was lovely to see the mix which included para swimmers, triathletes, club swimmers and seniors.”
As well as being significantly cheaper than hiring a pool, the larger body of water at Ellerton allows swimmers of different abilities to train together.
The grant helped the club trial its first sessions and their popularity means open-water training is now expected to continue into the autumn before swimmers return indoors for the winter.
Liz added: “The grant enabled us to launch an inclusive competitive swimming training programme at the lake and it has proved very worthwhile.
“We were able to send a team to the recent National Open Water Championships at Sale Water Park which was a great achievement considering this is our first year.”
The club said safety was a priority during the sessions, with swimmers using buoys and a safety kayak patrolling the water.
Participants would normally wear wetsuits, although the hot summer weather has meant some swimmers have instead taken to the lake in swimming costumes or trunks.
Broadacres’ Community and Sustainability Fund provides grants for projects delivering social, environmental or shared benefits for local communities.
Grants of up to £500 are normally available, rising to £1,000 in exceptional circumstances.
Anyone interested in trying open-water swimming can contact Richmond Dales Amateur Swimming Club at admin@rdasc.org.uk or visit its website for further information.
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