Great East Swim 2017: Training Day held for hundreds of swimmers at Alton Water in Suffolk
Hundreds of swimmers test out Alton Water at a training day ahead of the Great East Swim. Picture: MARK ANDREW WITTER/THE GREAT RUN COMPANY - Credit: Archant
People of all ages and abilities took part in the Great Swim Local Training Day in the county’s largest manmade reservoir near Holbrook on Saturday.
Hundreds of swimmers test out Alton Water at a training day ahead of the Great East Swim. Picture: MARK ANDREW WITTER/THE GREAT RUN COMPANY - Credit: Archant
Participants were gearing up for their final preparations for the Great East Swim, which returns to Alton Water on Saturday, June 17. Up to 3,000 people are expected to take on the Great East Swim on a packed day of sport which also features a farmers’ market, music, and family entertainment.
• See here for last year’s coverage, including a photo gallery and video highlights.
A range of sessions were on offer at the training day, from beginner classes to advice and tips for regular swimmers.
Coaches were also on hand to offer tips and advice to those who are taking on a range of distances at the event, from a 250 metre distance to a marathon 10k swim.
Ian Lole, event manager of the Great East Swim, said: “It was great to see so many people taking the opportunity to dive into the tranquil Alton Water ahead of the Great East Swim.
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“It’s the perfect way to get practice in ahead of the event and to ease any pre-event nerves or concerns that you have before taking on an open water swimming challenge.
“All ages and abilities were able to go at their own pace and were given the freedom to practise the skills they had learned.
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“We look forward to seeing them all in two weeks time.”
The coaching sessions worked on swimmer’s skills in the open water as well as giving people the opportunity to try out some of the course they will be taking on in two weeks’ time.
Beginner swimmers and those who have never swam in open water before were also able to seek advice from professionals on wetsuit advice, basic open water skills and technique, and combating open water anxiety.
For the first time this year, the Great East Swim will feature a 250 metre distance, giving families and children over the age of eight years old the chance to be involved in an open water swim.
It will allow the youngsters to swim, splash or doggy paddle in the bay area of Alton Water.
