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Absolute Triathlon Coaching & Training
British Triathlon Performance Coach of the Year 2011-2012

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Where do the sessions take place?

Where do I go when I get there?

What happens next?

How cold is the water?

Is the water clean?

How old do I have to be?

Do I need to wear a wetsuit?

What sort of wetsuit do I need?

Can I hire a swim wetsuit from you or at the venue?

I have never swum in open water before can I come to the sessions?

Can I swim at other times at the National Water Sports Centre?

I am a competent open water swimmer and don’t need coaching do I still need to pay the £10 fee?

Where do the sessions take place?

Open Water swim sessions take place at the National Water Sports Centre, Adbolton Lane, Holme Pierrepont, Nottingham, NG12 2LU.  You can download a PDF with directions on here.

Where do I go when I get there?

We meet at the finish line gantry on the Regatta Lake just in front on the Main Building / Grandstand.  Free car parking is available in the Main Building Car Park at the National Water Sports Centre (sign posted) and changing rooms are available in the Main Building, women will need a pass code for the female changing rooms which is available from the Main Building Reception.  There are lockers available in the Main Building or you can leave your belongings by the edge of the lake - please do not leave anything valuable as Absolute Triathlon cannot take responsibility for any items.

As Open Water does get busy we advise that you arrive between 6.30 and 6.45 pm to allow adequate time to get you booked in.

What happens next?

If you have not registered before hand you will need to register and pay the session fee, there will be a representative or coach from Absolute Triathlon taking the attendance register by the finish line gantry.  When you are registered you will be allocated a number which will be written in marker pen on your hand, this is to ensure that we can account for you before, during and after the session.  It is vital that you let the coach know when you enter and exit the water giving them your number so they can mark you on their sheet.

How cold is the water?
At the beginning of the season (April / May) the water can be as low as 11°C (this is dependent on the outside temperature) the water gets steadily warmer throughout the season.  If the water temperature falls below 11°C the session will be cancelled.

How old do I have to be to swim?

You need to be 15 years of age unless we have agreed otherwise.

Is the water clean?
Yes.  The water is checked and certified on a regular basis.  Any water issues in the past have been related to the River Trent not the Regatta Lake.  You should always shower after swimming in Open Water.

Do I need to wear a wetsuit?
We always recommend the use of wetsuits for Open Water Swimming. If the water temperature is 14°C or below you will not be allowed entry to the water without a wetsuit however once the water rises above 14°C you can go without if you want to.

What sort of wetsuit do I need?
You will need a swim specific wetsuit that differs from a surfing wetsuit.  Swimming wetsuits have areas of buoyancy and are cut differently.  Absolute Coaching retail the Zone 3 range of wetsuits which you can try before you buy at our private swimming pool in Nottingham.

Can I hire a swim wetsuit from you or at the venue?
No.  You will need to look online and find a suitable place to hire one from, we only sell Zone 3 wetsuits.

I have never swum in open water before can I come to the sessions?
Yes. Our coaches fully support the complete beginner through to experienced triathletes.  Swimming for the first time with us is completely safe - you will swim near the bank so you can get out at any time you wish

I am a competent open water swimmer and don’t need coaching do I still need to pay the £10 fee?

Yes.  The National Water Sports Centre is one of the countries leading open water swim venues and it is expensive to hire, plus we take safety very seriously and have adequate safety cover in place and observe the correct coach to participant ratio.  If you are just looking to swim in open water there are other venues within the East Midlands that can cater for this.

Can I swim at other times at the National Water Sports Centre?
No.  The lake is heavily used by other water craft and swimming outside of an organised session is extremely dangerous.

Frequently asked questions