On a drizzly Saturday afternoon what better way to add excitement to the day than to take part in my first aquathlon, a pool swim straight out to an off-road run. I noticed the Kendal Castle Aquathlon a few weeks ago and harboured a notion to do it, and luckily the stars, the support [...]
I have found it very easy to commit the time to learn the simple breathing practices and apply it to my cold water swimming. Immediate benefits include much faster recovery following cold swims, a general feeling of well-being and intense increases in my body temperature following certain breathing exercises.
Grange Lido built in 1932, is a rare example of beautiful Art Deco swimming pool complex situated in a spectacular position in the Southern Lake District, overlooking Morecambe Bay. It is the only seaside lido in the north of England and as an important piece of heritage it is grade 2 listed. A garden [...]
So you’ve been meaning to get into open water swimming and you just don’t know where to start? It’s not always obvious and if you don’t live near the sea or any lakes you may have to do a bit of research first. Here are our top 5 tips on how to get into open water swimming.
Fi from 'Two Blondes Walking' had a problem, she really wanted a swimming wetsuit but was feeling frustrated and a tad fed up as her online purchase hadn't gone very well and she was beginning think she would not get a wetsuit to fit. Luckily a friend recommend she get in touch with us [...]
A full range of BlueSeventy Wetsuits and the Orca Open Water Core wetsuit are back in stock in men's and women's sizes. 4 ways to buy the right wetsuit for you Come and visit us in-store for a wetsuit fitting by our experts Ring or email us for some great advice, you can [...]
There's been lots of activity in Ambleside today with the first Lake District on location filming of the new adaptation of Beatrix Potter's classic, Peter Rabbit. It's a big feature film from Columbia Pictures with James Corden as Peter Rabbit and Sam Neil as Mr McGregor. Ambleside Toy Shop, just up from 'Swim [...]
If you’re looking to break out of the swimming pool into open water, or have ever fancied giving it a go there’s never been a better time to go wild. Open water swimming is the perfect way to take your swimming ( and even your life) in a new direction. Take the Plunge Now is [...]
At the end of last Summer we had the pleasure of taking Ellie Harrison and the Secret Britain team night swimming for a BBC programme that focused on the secrets of the Lake District. The episode aired earlier this year, you might have seen see it. It was a beautiful evening and, with the [...]
Everything about the place is a delight – the views down the broad sweep of the surrounding fells, the viridian green of the water, the surrounding meadow dotted with dog violets, the perfect crook of the riverside tree which was just made to jump off.
Our news piece last Friday (1st April) re The Great Naked Swim Challenge was, as many of you guessed, an April fool, Thank you for all for your interest and support. We didn't get any takers which means either the idea of swimming naked across Windermere doesn't appeal to anyone (although I'm sure it [...]
It was only 6.30pm on a moody September evening and we were jumping around like excited school children itching to get in the water. A fairly normal state of affairs prior to a night swim, but we were getting a bit impatient and silly, as the darkness seemed a long way off, and we had a secret we were dying to tell…
Brit Jane Hardy travelled to Tyumen in Siberia, 8-12th March 2016 to take part in the Winter Swimming World Championships, her biggest challenge was coping with the extreme cold. With air temperatures close to sub 20'c with a possible wind-chill of minus 30'c and water temperatures below zero, Jane really needed something special to combat [...]
A new group has been formed bringing together the businesses and supporters of Ambleside to promote the town, its attractions and events. Ambleside Together has been created by a group of local business people as a response to the winter storms and the impact on tourism and visitor numbers. The first challenge for the [...]
The redevelopment of Waterhead, Ambleside is in full swing. The improvement to Waterhead promenade will include resurfacing walkways, repairing walls and installing a ‘panorama’ board, to identify key Lakeland landmarks that can be seen from the shore. Theres also new benches and seating, better landscaping and railings and litter bins all designed to [...]
Ambleside is to host the country’s first Festival of the Fells, offering a feast of walking, swimming, scrambling and talks in the town. The event, in September, will celebrate the landscape, culture, history and outdoor activity in the heart of the Lake District. Organised by Ambleside Together, the festival will be staged over four [...]
The iconic Lake District adventure firm Head to the Hills has re-branded as Swim the Lakes. “This reflects more accurately what we do and who we are, the Lake District’s open water swimming specialists,” says co-owner Pete Kelly. He and his wife Andrea have been inviting enthusiasts to join the adventure since 2005 when [...]
Ambleside Climbing Wall Visitors to Ambleside are about to be 'stone-walled' with the opening of a new indoor climbing wall. Ambleside-based Adventure Peaks company is building a new indoor climbing centre within what was the old 'Young’s Furnishing' building on Lake Road. The wall is said to be 10.5 meter’s high and will be [...]
Outdoor activities such as open water swimming can provide coping strategies and well-being in other areas of life a study reveals. Researchers at Bangor University are looking into the positive effects that playing outside may have on you and your self-esteem. The study aims to find out just how taking part in outdoor activities affects [...]
The Westmorland Gazette this week (16.10.14) claims there is a 'speed battle' on Windermere as 'fresh calls have been made for the 10 mph nautical speed limit to be lifted' and others want water-skiers banned completely. Although it doesn't say who these 'others' are. The rise in the numbers of open water swimmers using Windermere [...]
