Introduction to Open Water Swimming
for Adults
Designed to help improve mental and physical wellbeing.
Our Move More Introduction to Open Water Swimming sessions for adults are designed to offer a fun and relaxed environment for you to enjoy outdoor swimming in bays around our beautiful island to help improve your mental and physical wellbeing.
Supervised swims are led by our qualified open water swimming coaches and experienced open water volunteers within a safe, supportive, and encouraging group setting, ensuring nobody gets left behind. Where possible, our swims are followed by a chance to enjoy a cuppa’ in a local café and enjoy some time to chat socially with other swimmers.
MOVE MORE INTRODUCTION TO OPEN WATER SWIMMING IS FOR:
- Anyone over the age of 16 years old – our programme caters for a wide range of mobility, swimming ability and fitness levels.
- People who can already swim 25m – 50m in a pool environment.
- People who are open water beginners and need support to get started.
- People who can swim front crawl or breaststroke with either their head up or face in the water.
- People who are nervous/apprehensive about sea swimming.
- People with lower physical ability, long-term health conditions and those who would like to try open water swimming to become more active.
- Anyone looking to make new friendships – our swims are sociable and great if you enjoy the company of others.
Open water swimming is a fantastic form of exercise for anyone with a basic swimming ability, provided it is done in a safe and controlled environment. People of all ages and all physical abilities will benefit from open water swimming, as it’s a great way to keep active without putting stress on the joints. There are many other health benefits from open water swimming including better sleep, increased happiness, a boosted immune system and it can help prevent and manage long-term health conditions.
MOVE MORE INTRODUCTION TO OPEN WATER SWIMMING SESSIONS
(1 session per week, over 10-weeks)
Our small group swim sessions for novice open water swimmers take place in various locations across the island depending on the tide such as: Havre Des Pas Bathing Pool, Ouaisne Bay and Anne Port Bay.
During this 10-week course, you will learn the basics of swimming in the sea and build upon your pool swimming ability – whilst learning about the island’s tides, effects of the weather, besides do’s and don’ts for cold water swimming.
These sessions are open to adults who can swim 25-50m+ in a pool environment but are either new to open water swimming or are nervous/apprehensive about swimming in the sea. Swimmers who take this course should be able to swim front crawl or breaststroke, either head up or face in.
You are more than welcome to wear a wetsuit if you have one, but these are optional and are not provided.
There is a free classroom session for you to attend prior to your swim course, where you will learn important things that will help you to swim safely in open water, such as the do’s and don’ts for open water swimming and what you need to consider before swimming in order to ensure that you keep yourself as safe as possible. There are limited spaces per classroom session, so please select the one that suits you best.
1) Open water classroom sessions (please select the date you would like to attend):
- Wednesday 26 June 2024, 18:30 – 19:30, Location: FB Fields Pavilion
- Wednesday 3 July 2024, 09:30 – 10:30, Location: FB Fields Pavilion
- Wednesday 3 July 2024, 18:30 – 19:30, Location: FB Fields Pavilion
- Thursday 4 July 2024, 09:30 – 10:30, Location: FB Fields Pavilion
2) Open water swim sessions (please select the whole block you would like to attend on the day and time each week indicated below):
- Block 1 – Monday mornings – 09:00 – 09:30 – FULLY BOOKED
(8 July – Ouaisne, 15 July – Havre Des Pas, 22 July – Ouaisne, 29 July – Anne Port, 5 August – Ouaisne, 12 August – Havre Des Pas, 19 August Archirondel, 2 September – Anne Port, 9 September – La Rocque, 16 September – Anne Port) - Block 2 – Monday mornings – 09:30-10:00 – FULLY BOOKED
(8 July – Ouaisne, 15 July – Havre Des Pas, 22 July – Ouaisne, 29 July – Anne Port, 5 August – Ouaisne, 12 August – Havre Des Pas, 19 August Archirondel, 2 September – Anne Port, 9 September – La Rocque, 16 September – Anne Port) - Block 3 – Monday mornings – 10:00 – 10:30 – FULLY BOOKED
(8 July – Ouaisne, 15 July – Havre Des Pas, 22 July – Ouaisne, 29 July – Anne Port, 5 August – Ouaisne, 12 August – Havre Des Pas, 19 August Archirondel, 2 September – Anne Port, 9 September – La Rocque, 16 September – Anne Port) - Block 4 – Wednesday evenings – 18:00 – 18:30 – FULLY BOOKED
(10 July – Havre Des Pas, 17 July – Anne Port, 24 July – Ouaisne, 31 July – Archirondel, 7 August – Ouaisne, 14 August – Havre Des Pas, 21 August Ouaisne, 28 August – Anne Port, 4 September – La Rocque, 11 September – Anne Port) - Block 5 – Wednesday evenings – 18:30 – 19:30 – FULLY BOOKED
(10 July – Havre Des Pas, 17 July – Anne Port, 24 July – Ouaisne, 31 July – Archirondel, 7 August – Ouaisne, 14 August – Havre Des Pas, 21 August Ouaisne, 28 August – Anne Port, 4 September – La Rocque, 11 September – Anne Port) - Block 6 – Wednesday evenings – 19:00 – 19:30 – FULLY BOOKED
(10 July – Havre Des Pas, 17 July – Anne Port, 24 July – Ouaisne, 31 July – Archirondel, 7 August – Ouaisne, 14 August – Havre Des Pas, 21 August Ouaisne, 28 August – Anne Port, 4 September – La Rocque, 11 September – Anne Port)
The cost is £60 per block, or free if you receive income support (evidence of a valid claim required – this needs to be submitted every 6 months).
WHAT TO BRING
To get started you will need some comfortable swimwear, a brightly coloured swimming hat, swimming goggles and a towel. We also recommend that women tie their hair back, even when wearing a swimming hat, as it makes it easier to put them on. If you have a wetsuit you would like to wear you are welcome to, but this is optional. If the sun is shining please don’t forget to put on your water resistant sun cream!
You will be required to wear a tow float when swimming, which we will loan to you during the sessions, however you may wish to purchase your own as this is a useful piece of kit for continuing your open water swimming journey.
Don’t forget your warm clothes to wear afterwards including socks and shoes, even a woolly hat, a warm drink and a snack.
HOW TO BOOK
To register your interest for the Introduction to Open Water Swimming course for adults, please email: movemore@jerseysport.je or call our booking office on 01534 757700.
You will need to state which classroom session and block of swim sessions you would like to book when you contact us. Please note: we have limited spaces for each block, so spaces will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.
IMPORTANT: If you have a health condition, or take medication that may affect your ability to participate in our swimming programme, we recommend that you see your GP for a medical check-up before starting out.
VOLUNTEER WITH US
If you enjoy open water swimming, are experienced and in good fitness, why not consider becoming a Swim Pod Leader or Land Support? Full training will be given, all free of charge.
If you would like any further information about the Move More Introduction to Open Water Swimming for adults, please contact Martine Le Guilcher, Swimming and Community Sport Development Officer, at: Martine.leguilcher@jerseysport.je or 01534 757709.