Open Water swimming
Measures to reduce the risk of illness

Before you swim:

  • cover cuts, scratches or sores with a waterproof plaster before swimming

  • consider additional swimwear such as a wetsuit, gloves and/or wetsuit booties

  • consider the weather conditions – for example chop and waves may increase the likelihood of ingesting water

While you are swimming:

  • minimise swallowing and water in your mouth

  • don’t wear contact lenses, and keep your ears dry

  • observe local safety advice

After swimming:

  • clean your hands thoroughly with soap and water or antibacterial gel after swimming and before handling/eating food

  • thoroughly clean cuts or abrasions using soap and water

  • handle your wetsuit with care after use. Rinse it with clean water as soon as is practical after swimming. Clean as advised by the manufacturer. Always wash your hands with soap and water after handling or cleaning your wetsuit. Allow the suit to dry thoroughly before reuse

Swim Collective will supply water and hand sanitiser near the swim exit.

Please also read the Outdoor Swimming Society’s 10 ways to stay well swimming

Open water swimming: the risks of illness and infection
Open water swimming has some risks. Our aim is to ensure that you are well informed about the risks, our protocols and the considerations regarding water quality to enable you to make informed decisions before your swim.  The Outdoor Swimming Society’s 2022 survey estimates one incidence of sickness for every 9,094 outdoor swims.

Open water swimming can increase the risk of gastrointestinal infections (diarrhoea and/or vomiting) as well as respiratory, skin, ear and eye infections. Most symptoms of these illnesses will generally be mild or short-term, caused by organisms such as norovirus, giardia and cryptosporidium.  There is also a lower risk of more severe infections caused by organisms such as ecoli and leptospirosis.

Individual intolerance to impurities in the water varies amongst different people.  As with any open water swim you do, you should consider your personal level of safety and risk before entering the water.  We provide the advice here to help you make your own decision, based on your own health history.

Some of the factors affecting the risk include:

  • novice swimmers are more likely to swallow water accidentally

  • those with an impaired immune system are more susceptible to infection

  • heavy rainfall can reduce the quality of water in the estuary

  • big tides increase the proportion of sea water to river water

Our swim and safety teams also conduct a visual assessment of the water before starting the swim.