swimming
With indoor and open-air, coached and social swim options all year round, we’ve got plenty of ways to keep things interesting
Social Swim
We have a dedicated Windrush lane at Brockwell Lido each weekend where we enjoy a social swim and follow that up with a relaxed post-splash coffee - hopefully with a slab of cake, if one of our bakers has been in action
There's no agenda; no set to complete. Swim (or dip) as you please; chat at the pool ends. It’s a great chance to enjoy the outdoor 50m pool, build confidence in different temperatures, practise wetsuit skills, and meet fellow swimmers - all at a fraction of the usual cost of entry to the venue.
You don't need to be an experienced swimmer to join (you don't even need to be into cycling and running), you're welcome just to swim if that's what you're into!
We have our lane all-year-round and this session, in the unheated water, takes on a different feel in the colder months. Cold water swimming is known to bring wide-ranging health benefits. If you're joining us In temperatures lower than you’re used do, please check out our cold water swimming guidance.
Swimming: Technique and Fitness
Our coached swim sessions - indoors over the colder months, and utilizing Brockwell lido for some summer training - are designed to help you swim faster, feel more confident in the water, and develop strong, efficient technique - so you can use less energy to go further with less effort.
Whether you’re relatively new to front crawl or already a speedy fish, there’s something for everyone.
Sessions have a varied emphasis between both technique and fitness. We break down the fundamentals of an efficient front crawl using focused drills to help you fine-tune your body position, breathing, and stroke mechanics, then bring it all together in structured sets that build strength and endurance. That way, you’re not just working harder — you’re swimming smarter.
With personalised feedback and targeted drill recommendations from our coaches, you’ll keep improving every time you get in the pool.
All workouts are tailored to suit a range of abilities, but to get the most out of these sessions, you should be able to swim 100m of front crawl before taking part.
you can check what sessions are coming up, here
Swim Captains
Our Swim Captains, represent members on all things swim. To get in touch, speak to them at training or contact them via info@windrushtri.co.uk
Swim Captain / Flo Mowlem
Flo is an ever-present at Windrush sessions. Always looking for an excuse to have fun and encourage everyone else to do the same.
Swim Captain / Ryan Crawford
You can find our Head Coach Ryan at many of our swim sessions. Born and raised on a small island, Ryan grew up sea swimming and had tackled a number of long distance swims. If you want advice on improving your open water abilities, drop him a message!
While you are here, we will mention pool lane etiquette
As people of different abilities will be using the pool – please respect their right to enjoy their swim (and thus in turn they should hopefully respect yours!)
Rinse yourself off at the pool side shower when you first arrive
If there are fast, medium and slow lanes at the pool, please try to choose the right one for you by watching the other swimmers in the lanes first (If someone taps your foot or if you notice someone is coming up behind you who is faster, wait at the end of the pool to let them pass)
Follow directional signs
Be considerate of other people in the lane if your workout includes intervals
Try and leave 5 metres/5 seconds between yourself and another swimmer
Butterfly and breaststroke are best avoided when the lanes are busy (If you change to a slower stroke, think about moving lanes)
Swim toys such as fins and hand paddles are great to include in your training but are permitted as the discretion of the lifeguard and based on capacity
When resting keep yourself to the edge of the lane rather than the middle, allowing others to turn at the wall
Cold water swimming top tips
We swim at Brockwell Lido all year round; the water is lovely and warm in the summer but gets very cold over the winter. Cold water swimming is growing in popularity and can boost your immune system, improve circulation, reduce stress and activate endorphins, leaving you feeling like a superhero all day long. However, it doesn't come without its risks. It's not about how far you can swim, if you're not acclimatised to cold water you shouldn't stay in the water for very long at all, at first. Here are some guidelines and links that should help you stay safe when swimming in cold water.
ACCLIMATISATION: If you're able to, it's a good idea to start your cold-water swimming adventures in the early autumn/late summer, when the water is still warm-ish. Your body will get used to the cold as the temperature drops. It's best to keep swimming at least once a week, the more you swim the longer you will be able to stay in the water.
ENTRY AND BREATHING: It's not advisable to jump or dive into cold water, this can lead to cold water shock which can affect your breathing and movement. When you first get in the water try and keep your breathing as deep, slow and steady as you can - this will help you acclimatise to the water.
KNOW YOUR LIMITS: As the temperature drops, decrease the amount of time you spend in the water. In winter, just a few minutes in the water is often enough. Your body will get used to the cold water fairly quickly when you immerse yourself in it and it will start to feel pleasant. However, if you stay in for too long, you start to become cold again, then your body can start sending signals of elation and warmth that aren't really there - you should get out before this happens. This is when you are putting yourself at risk of getting hypothermia. If in doubt, speak to one of the lifeguards at the pool.
AFTER SWIMMING: Do not have a hot shower straight after coming out the cold water, you need to warm yourself up slowly - hot showers means cooled blood is returning to your core faster and can make you feel dizzy and faint - known as the 'afterdrop'. Wrap yourself up warm - thick socks, coat, gloves, big woolly hat and get yourself a hot drink.
ENJOY IT: Cold water swimming really does give you a massive buzz so come and join us on Saturday mornings!
Recommended kit list for cold water swimming:
Swimwear and goggles.
Wetsuit (optional)
Neoprene gloves and booties (these are great to have as they can make a huge difference to how enjoyable your cold-water swim is, your extremities feel the cold the most)
Neoprene hat (or double swim caps also works)
Towel (dry robes are great!)
Flip flops (it's surprising how cold your feet can get when walking from the pool to the changing rooms!)
Lots of warm layers for afterwards
Flask of hot drink and something sugary to eat (or join us for a hot drink and some cake straight after the lido session)
