any recommendations?

[anth175]

hello,

i am doing two team triathlons this summer, so two open water swims, and was wondering where would be good place to train?

i've hired a wetsuit for the summer and am keen to try it out asap. i'm a central londoner and so was thinking of hampsted heath/parliament hill lido but i don't really know anything about it or them.

any suggestions would be great because i really know nothing about open water swimming!

thanks

anthea:)

[broomhillsaved]

Anthea: try logging on to the London Pools Campaign website or the Yahoo Lidos website for a more detailed answer to your query: the London Fields Lido should be opening in July 2006 - a state of the art 50 metre outdoor heated pool; there are lots of different swimming pools to try: Brockwell Park Lido, Tooting Bec Lido etc It's worth exploring around a bit and seeing what suits you.

If you log on to www.savebroomhillpool.org there are all the links to the above websites.

[Thespud111]

I've did some open water swimming while getting ready for the National Aquathlon Champs in 2005. I will tell you now......if you've never trained or raced in a lake before you must must must MUST get to one a few times before a race for the following reasons.......

1. it's soooo cold when you get in it really does take your breath away and takes some getting used to!

2. the fact you can only see so far as your hands in front of you is something you need a few sessions to get over!

3. its really difficult to swim in a straight line when you cant see where you're going......you need to practice looking for markers/bouys (a tri club will teach you that)

4. the start of a race is absolutely mental....everyone sprinting off to gain good position. During the national champs i got smacked in the face repeatedly by the guy next to me for about 50m, pulled back by someone, and pushed under at the first turn.....if you've never even swum open water before it will be so impossible cope with these nasty but common aspects of open water swimming.

For a place train I would recommend "Lakeside shopping centre", the clue is in the name! The lake is really nice and you can go shopping afterwards. Obviously the only issue is getting there and finding a time to go. The tri-club i raced for "Tri-Sport Epping" train there saturday mornings, they have a good website, good coaches, etc so it may be usefyul to check them out!!