Media Release: Come and try open water swimming!

Helix Park lagoon and Plaza cafe

Come and Try Open Water Swimming Sessions give swimmers a unique opportunity to make a splash by the Kelpies at Falkirk’s newly-opened Helix Lagoon

SCOTTISH Swimming, in partnership with Falkirk Community Trust and the Great Scottish Swim, is offering swimmers a unique chance to try the newly-opened facilities of the Lagoon at the Helix, right next to the world-famous Kelpies in Falkirk with four Come and Try Open Water Sessions on Sunday 8 June.

Aimed at beginners and intermediate swimmers the one hour Come and Try sessions will be coach-led and held in a safe, supportive and fun environment at the Helix Lagoon, built with open water swimming in mind.

Each coaching group will accommodate a maximum of 40 swimmers only. Swimmers must be aged 16 years and over and wetsuits are compulsory.

The one-hour sessions will cost £5 per person, and wetsuits will be available to hire on the day for £15.

The first session, Come and Try Beginners, is aimed at those who can swim, but have never made the transition from pool to the open water.

The session will focus on wetsuit advice, combating open water anxieties and race day nerves, acclimatisation and feel for the water and basic open water skills including sighting and drafting, followed by a question and answer session. Sessions will be held at 10am and 1pm.

Come and Try Intermediate is aimed at those who have experience in open water and would benefit from a little reminder and confidence boost, while trying and experiencing the great new facilities at the Helix Park.

The session will focus on acclimatisation and feel for the water, breathing effectively in open water for maximum performance, open water skills including sighting, drafting and navigating buoys, stroke development, mass starts and skills practice around the swim course and exiting the water safely.

Sessions will be held at 11.30am and 2.30pm.

But the Helix offers much more than swimming, with plenty of activities to make it a day out with family and friends. There are many cycle and walking paths, the world-famous Kelpies as well as the canal and a café.

More information about the venue can be found at http://www.thehelix.co.uk/

Sharon MacDonald, Scottish Swimming’s director of development, is pleased to work in partnership with Falkirk Community Trust the Great Swim to offer swimmers the opportunity to try the new facility.

He said: “We are delighted to run those sessions for the first time, giving people the opportunity to try open water swimming in a safe environment. Coach led sessions are a great way for people to get into the sport and enjoy swimming with like-minded people in this unique facility.”

More information can be found at www.scottishswimming.com/comeantry.

Tickets can be booked for £5 at the same site or directly at www.scottishswimming.eventbrite.com

ENDS

Notes to editors:

What: Scottish Swimming Come and Try Open Water Sessions
Where: The Helix, Falkirk, FK2 9EE
When: Sun 8 June 2014, Beginners Sessions at 10am/1pm; Intermediate Sessions at 11.30am/2.30pm
Duration: 1h
Cost: £5 (plus £15 wetsuit hire if needed)
Booking and info: www.scottishswimming.com/comeandtry

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Contact: Kirsten Phillips

Email: k.phillips@scottishswimming.com
Website: http://www.scottishswimming.com