About

Stretham Wild Swim is an open water swim facility based at Hannam’s Wake Hub, off the A10 in Stretham, north of Cambridge. Set in an ‘Excellent’ quality crystal clear lake in the fens with toilets, changing rooms and free parking, we have lifeguarded, winter swim distances set up for 25m, 50m & 100m lengths.

Our Hubhouse will be open to warm up in after your swim, hot drinks and snacks will also be available.

Booking and Session Times

Sessions must be pre-booked online through our website hannamswakehub.wakesys.com just select the Stretham Wild Swim option and choose your date and time. You will need to sign up on the system the first time. Credit can be added to your Wakesys account for multiple swims or for drinks and snacks afterwards.

Sessions will be running Wednesday afternoon 12-2pm, Friday morning 10am -12pm and Sunday morning 9.30-10.30am.

Cold Water Dip

There are great benefits to immersing yourself in cold water in the right conditions, so even if you are not into open water swimming, if you would like to come and experience the benefits of a Cold Water Dip in a safe, lifeguarded environment with ‘Excellent’ water quality then book yourself in (hannamswakehub.wakesys.com) and come along to feel invigorated! If you are planning your first experience in cold water, we recommend completing the NOWCA Cold Water Induction course, it is incredibly interesting and informative https://nowca-education-portal.teachable.com/p/cold-water-induction

Site/Safety Rules

All swimmers must be aged 18 or over for winter swimming.

All swimmers must be confident in deep open water and be able to swim 400m without stopping.

All swimmers must be physically fit and have no pre-existing medical conditions that would affect them swimming in open water.

All swim sessions must be pre-booked online; on arrival sign in at Hubhouse; then check in to and out of the water lakeside.

Bright coloured swim caps/hats are compulsory. (Please bring your own, none available on site).

All swimmers are recommended to complete the NOWCA Cold Water Induction course before attending, https://nowca-education-portal.teachable.com/p/cold-water-induction it is incredibly interesting and informative.

Tow floats are compulsory for swimming without a wetsuit, and recommended for novice swimmers and when swimming in colder temperatures. (Please bring your own, none available on site).

Do not swim if you are feeling unwell or are under the influence of alcohol or drugs. If you become unwell during a session alert a member of staff.

Only enter and exit the water where advised to by a member of staff.

In the event you get into difficulty during the swim session, you must roll on to your back and signal for rescue by waving an arm in the air. In the event of seeing another swimmer getting into difficulty, you should alert a lifeguard.

Acclimatise yourself to the water temperature before starting your swim and listen to your body and mind for when it is time to stop swimming.

Lifeguards will be on duty during swim sessions, you must listen to their instructions and exit the water if asked to do so for example for safety/weather reasons.

At no time during the swim session should you climb on any features in the centre of the lake.

Please remember to swim responsibly and be mindful of others.

You acknowledge that the lake is a natural environment. Lake banks may be slippery and there may be sharp objects underfoot. There are buoys and ropes within the water which must be avoided. If you do not feel comfortable with these hazards then you should not swim in this open water environment.

There will be NO REFUNDS if you are unable to come to the session.

The decision to cancel or postpone swimming with regard to water temperature, visibility, weather conditions or other related matters rests with Stretham Wild Swim.

Equipment

Required:

Bright coloured swim cap/woolly hat

A swim buoy (required when swimming without a wetsuit, but always recommended, especially for a novice)

Location

We are based at Hannam’s Wake Hub (Cambridge Aqua Park) off the A10 at the Lazy Otter Layby, Stretham, nearest postcode CB6 3LU.

Once you have gone over the bridge take the road on your left down into the farm (towards the Glasshouse) follow the road with the Glasshouse on your right and continue onto the farm track until you see the buildings and car park for Cambridge Aqua Park. Once you have arrived please check-in at the Hubhouse by the cable wakeboarding.