Come and learn about cold water swimming – why it may be of benefit, how to do it safely, what happens when you do it, then try it out!

Portishead Open Air Pool, Wednesday 18th November, 6:15pm to 7:45pm

Join us to learn all about cold-water swimming – why it may be of benefit to you, how to do it safely, what happens to you physically when you do it, and how/why you might keep swimming outdoors all through the winter. Then begin your cold-water experience in the safe environment of this stunning lifeguarded outdoor pool!

After the session you can continue to enjoy the atmosphere of the pool with its lively and enthusiastic cold water swimming community, and grab a hot drink from the kiosk.

We will also talk through the benefits of combining sauna with cold water and how to do that safely, but we will not use the sauna as part of this session. We suggest you focus just on the cold water experience for your first visit, then consider the sauna as something you can build in for future visits.

At Portishead Open Air Pool we are all about building a close-knit community of well educated cold-water enthusiasts who go on to continue enjoying the experience both with us and in other environments. Much of what we go through assumes that you will "get the bug" for it and start to see every body of water as fair game, so we aim to equip you with the skills to safely assess every swim.

The cost of this ticket includes your entry to the venue and the cost of your swim.

You MUST read the HEALTH NOTE below before purchasing your ticket.

The session will be run by local experts Alec Richardson and Emma Pusill. Emma is co-author of “The Lido Guide” and director of the Popsicle, Portishead’s annual cold-water gala. She has been an advocate of cold-water swimming for many years and has safely introduced hundreds of swimmers to its joys. Alec is an Open Water Coach, a UK Silver medallist in 90m cold-water freestyle, and author of “Ask Me Why I’m Stood Here” – the story of his swim across the Bristol Channel.

The Lido Guide (https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-lido-guide/janet-wilkinson/emma-pusill/9781800183346)

Ask Me Why I'm Stood Here (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ask-Me-Why-Stood-Here/dp/1731015240/ref=sr_1_1?crid=R4FQQTUUQC4O&keywords=alec+richardson&qid=1572279185&s=books&sprefix=alec+Richardson%2Caps%2C135&sr=1-1)

What do I need to bring?

The session will involve a 45 minute talk, then getting into the water (if you want to!). There are changing rooms, but it is an open-air pool, and we cannot control the weather! We will do the educational and informative part first in a warm indoor space. Then you can change into your swimming gear (wetsuit if you like – you can always try both with and without. Swim-cap and goggles if you want to put your head in, or woolly hat to keep your head warm whilst in the water if you don't wish to submerge it). You need to cover up quickly after the swim so changing robes, dressing gowns and coats, large towels and flip-flops or crocs are all decent suggestions. A warm hat and lots of layers for after you have dried off.

The on-site café will be open, so you have access to hot drinks and somewhere warm to sit, relax and enjoy the post-dip buzz.

The water temperature is likely to be between 15 and 20 degrees this early in the season, so not much different from the sea in summer, but definitely ‘cold’ and needs to be treated with respect. This pool and other, unmanaged bodies of water will drop well below this over the winter, and we will discuss how to adapt what you learn on the day for other venues and temperatures. There is no pressure to get in, but of course it will help you to relate the experience to the information we will present you with. There is also no pressure for you to stay in for any length of time, or even put your head in (a bobble hat is a good idea if you think you will stay 'heads-up'). If you feel inspired by this session, then it should set you up to safely make use of regular dips in the Lido and other local waters.

HEALTH NOTE

By purchasing a ticket for this event, you are confirming that you are physically fit and healthy enough to take part in cold water swimming. In particular, respiratory, heart or circulatory conditions can be an issue. If you have any concerns or underlying medical conditions, then please discuss these with a medical professional and also contact the organiser to discuss them and speak to your coach on the day BEFORE entering the water.

Ticket Purchase, Cancellations and Refunds.

Tickets can only be purchased one at a time for the named person only and are not transferrable without first contacting the organiser. It is important that the named individual has agreed to the content of the health note before attending the course.

If you can no longer attend the event, and more than 24 hours' notice is given, then a refund can be issued, but it will be minus the Eventbrite fees charged to the organiser. Refunds will not be issued for less than 2

Description supplied by the event organiser.