OPEN WATER SWIMMING
We are fortunate to have access to the beautiful lake at Ripon Racecourse.
The Lake is now open for swimming! Members sign up for your sessions via the Spond App.
If you would like to trial an open water session before joining please contact and we will be in touch. Or just come along to one of the sessions at the lake and have a chat to some of us.
Sessions
April – May
Tuesdays & Thursdays – 18:00-19:30
Saturdays – 08:00-09:30
June – September
Tuesdays & Thursdays – 18:00-20:00
Saturdays – 08:00-09:30
In order that the volunteer Safety Crew can manage timings in position and when to pack up, please ensure you have arrived and checked in by 19:00 Tuesday/Thursday and 08:45 on Saturday at the latest to avoid disappointment!
Regular weekly sessions are for your own swimming, which is permitted in front of the 1st Island, these sessions are not coached. We will hold coached open water swim sessions at various times throughout the season.
‘2 Island’ Swims
Thanks to the additional safety support provided by Dales Canoe Club (First Aid and White Water Rescue qualified paddlers) will also be hosting monthly ‘2 Island’ swims where members can swim the full Ripon Triathlon course (1500m).
The first session for 2025 is on Thursday 5th June. More dates will be released very soon – keep an eye out here, Spond and the Facebook Forum.
Safety Protocol
- All swimmers must complete an Open Water Swimming Induction before their first swim. Let us know when you’re attending for the first time (via the Facebook Ripon Tri Club Members forum) and someone will be allocated to induct you.
- All swimmers must sign the OW Swimming Declaration of Competence and be aware of our EAP (see links below).
- Your membership card will be exchanged for a swim band by the COW’s before entering the water.
- Tow floats are mandatory (these are not provided by the club).
- Wetsuits are mandatory up to a water temperature of 22 degrees, optional for 22 degrees and above.
Water Safety – Your Club needs you!
As an affiliated club, British Triathlon provides us with cost-effective club insurance. To benefit from this and keep membership fees affordable, we need the support of our fabulous members to provide essential safety cover during the swims:
Coordinator of Open Water Swimming (COW) – we are very grateful to April and Christine from the Girl Guides who coordinate all of our sessions and keep you safe.
Spotters – two spotters per session are located either side of the lake with radios to maintain contact with the COW and paddle boarders, to alert of anyone in distress.
Paddle boarders – we provide free paddle board safety and rescue training to members wishing to volunteer. We require 1 Paddle boarder:20 swimmers at each session and need 2 Paddlers per session.
Safety training will be provided at the beginning and middle of the season. Please contact for more details.
To volunteer for Safety Cover you can send a message on the Facebook members forum or let one of the COW’s know you’re availability.
Sharing a session with another swimmer is a great way to enjoy a swim and also help the club.
We are here
Documents & Procedures
