First swim at Holborough Lakes in Kent

Holborough Lakes in Kent near Snodland; full details here.

Although primarily a scuba diving facility this venue has it's own group of OW swimmers (the 'Neme's Nutters'), at least one channel soloist and a team of 'relayists' plus the now almost obligatory cold water aficionados.

It's not a massive lake, it says 11 acres on the website but most people tend not to swim in acres - the 400m loop (square) is more important. 

It does some things really well: the changing rooms were clean and warm, toilet facilities were available and the complimentary hot drink when you finished was a nice touch.  The kit shop had everything you would need if you forget something - plus a few more toys that you probably didn't know you needed.  There was a mixed crowd there too with the full spectrum of skins, suits, plodders and speedsters enjoying the water.  If you're new to Open Water swimming you could do worse than pop along to one of the sessions here and at £5 per visit (£10 for your induction, i.e. £15 for your first visit) it's pretty good value for money.  The water tastes cleaner than other sites in the South East; not quite Evian but certainly not too 'muddy' and not a trace of diesel on the surface (there didn't appear to be any engine driven craft on the water).  

This a good venue and it does lots of things really well.  Where it could improve is where almost all OW swim venues could improve:

1. It could get it's measurement right. The whole course probably is around 400m based on the times each lap took, but the sides are not equal (unless the lake has a weird rip tide somewhere).  Try timing yourself on each side of the square and you'll get differences of 10-20 secs per side. 
2. Proper coached training sessions.  Very few OW venues offer a structured programme in the water and Holborough Lakes is crying out for swimmers to do more than swim round in a circle at almost the same pace.  Intervals of multiples of 50m would be easy to do; like taking your long course session outside.
3. A feeding platform on the water on the course.  A floating pontoon to practice feeding or just to have nutrition and toys (paddles, fins pullbuoy and kickboard) close to hand.
4. A pace clock of some sort would enhance any OW venue, especially one as small as this where it can be seen almost anywhere in the lake.

In summary; a good lake run by some very friendly people attracting a mix of swimmers.  If you can, go and try it out - it's hard to be disappointed with somewhere that does the basics so well.  Hopefully they'll have a BBQ during the summer - what a blast, a couple of hours in a lake followed by burgers.  Sounds brilliant.

Coming soon, the Great Pier Swim

This year's 3k pier swim for Haven Hospice is taking place on Sunday 12 July. It's a point to point course along the sea-front at Southend on Sea (good if you can breathe to the left, if you can't all you'll see is the horizon!)

There's a competitive 'skins' wave, (swum roughly under ASA type rules, so leave the budgie smugglers at home if you can fellas) and there are several waves for those in suits. The wave you are in is dependent upon what time you register rather than ability.

There are some very fast swimmers in all waves, as well as those out for a gentle float, so regardless of your swim speed you'll be in good company.  The local open water swim group, the Chalkwell Redcaps always turn out in force and they are a pretty friendly bunch with skins, channel swimmers and brand spanking newbies among their number. Their Chairman, Iain Keenan was instrumental in setting the current course that goes through Southend Pier (the longest in the world no less).

What's not to like? A fun, friendly event, long enough to make it worth travelling to, the home of the Rossi ice cream and making loads of money for the local Hospice.

Go on, give it a go. You won't be disappointed.