Open Water
Open Water Swimming at Rother Valley (May- September)
We are using the Watersports Centre as the base for swimming, which means that there will be parking near to changing rooms, and then a short walk to the water, where we have a marked out a course to use, and have a couple of people on the water in canoes to help out. You will need to enter the park by the normal road entrance, when you get to the main road that runs next to the lake, turn left and the car park will be obvious on the right.
This is the address: Mansfield Road, Wales Bar, Sheffield S26 5PQ, we’ll are there from 8, swimming to start at 8:30 sharp, please don’t be late as we must be out and clear by 10 a.m. before other activities start.
To use the facilities, people will have to join the park, we’ll also have to keep records of who comes and uses the facilities, as in addition to the joining fee there is a fee each time you use the centre. We’re also adopting best practice for contact and emergency contact details, which means more work for us. The club is spending more money on coaching and equipment to give you a better experience. The result of this is that everyone will have to be a member (join here) of STC, and to Rother Valley Please also complete the declaration of the Open Water Swimming rules to show that you understand the health and safety procedures. These documents can be returned to the membership secretary or brought to registration when you attend for the first time. Thankyou.
There is an additional membership option to the form. If you aren’t already a member then you can join the club for summer swimming only at a cost of £15. The club will then pay for your membership to Rother Valley (which is £5, and will get you entrance to the site without paying for parking – but only when you come to swim!). Swimming will still cost £4, the club will pay £1 to Rother Valley out of this for use of the facilities. If you don’t get a chance to print the forms off, we will keep some at registration, and cards ready to make up, you will need a passport sized photo for each, i.e. 2 photos for non-members and one for existing members.
In summary:
Print off all three forms if you can (only the registration document and H&S declaration if you’re already a member)
Bring 1 or 2 small photos
Bring your membership card to gain entry (you may need to pay for parking if you forget, we will have spare membership cards and the register of members in case you need a copy)
When you get to the centre, walk through to a portacabin at the back, we’ll be in there and give you more instructions!!
There will be plenty of people to help guide you as well, and then, enjoy your swim, have a shower, and then maybe even a coffee! Some even go for a run round the lakes! A single lap of both lakes is 5k.
Please email if you have any questions.
Additional info for those without or choosing not to use wet suits…
Due to the added restrictions, swimming without a wetsuit is possible, but we will need to check the water temperature more often to accomodate it. The temperature must be at least 14 degrees for us to give the option not to wear one, below that we have to enforce the use of them.
If for any reason, the temperature drops below 14, we will enforce the use of a wetsuit, and cannot be held responsible, if you turn up hoping to swim without, and can’t as a result. RV do offer wetsuits to hire for a very reasonable rate.
After registering in the first week thereafter when you come down you’ll need your RV card and STC card to get in without paying for parking. At registration/signing on, please have your STC card ready to hand in (only one card, as this has picture and emergency contact details) and £4, as we’ll take payment at the start. When you are completely done swimming, then you can collect your card.
Also, we need people to help every week, ideally around 6 people split into two teams to sit on the canoes, so that half the team swims whilst the other half does the safety, and then they swap over after 45 minutes. If you help out in this way you will swim for free. Please let us know when you register if you are willing and able to help out: No canoeists means no swimming! 
Documents to complete:
1. Membership (If not completing membership online)
