Frequently Asked Questions

Go to the Events page of website and follow instruction on screen to book your chosen event (s)

If you have booked an organsed event for your own group please make payment direct

Account Name: Angela Jones

Account Number: 00227018

Sort Cde: 60-83-71

Please use you name and event date as reference

Please note in the event that you need to cancel due to unforseen circumstances you must give at least 7 days notice for us to consider a refund. If payment has not already been made please note you will be charged the full amount.

Wild Swim Essential Kit List:

Costume Towel Goggles Swim robe - can be purchased £40 Swim hat - can be purchased £10 Water shoes - can be purchased £35 Tow float - can be hired £5 or purchased £40 Wet suit - can be hired £5 Warm clothes for after swim

Kayak Essential Kits List:

Joggers T-Shirt Long sleeve waterproof top Drink bottle Snack Water shoes / old trainers Towel Change of clothes Sun hat Sun cream Hat Gloves Life jacket, kayak & paddle supplied by Swim Wild

Camping Essential Kit Required:

Sleeping bag Small pillow Roll mat Rucksack Waterproof top Warm clothes Hat Gloves Socks Bottle of water Snacks Cup Swim Wild can supply bivvy bags, sleeping bags & roll mats if requested in advance. Pre-order 48 hours prior to event start

As part of the registration process you are required to complete a medical questionnaire and disclaimer. You do this before booking and payment.

For own group specific events where you have contacted us directly to book your own event. Please click here to print off and complete your medical questionnaire and disclaimer.

PLEASE BRING THIS WITH YOU TO YOUR EVENT.

River temperatures vary a lot.

All technical and longer swims are in wetsuits, they add buoyancy and warmth and make for a much safer swim as the Wye has many hidden obstacles over hanging trees and debris. I recommend a full swimming wetsuit, and would advise against ‘shortie’ type wetsuits. I would also advise you to bring your own full wetsuit or available to hire at £5 .

Tow floats are compulsory to make a safe swim and to carry kit I recommend the Swim secure tow float 35L which can be purchased on day or hired £5

You are welcome to swim without a wetsuit once you have confirmed with me and we agree that you are currently conditioned to the water temperatures and duration in the water suitable for the trip. We will need you to confirm this in writing. As a guide, if you have recent and regular non-wetsuit experience at temperatures 10 – 14 degrees c for 1hr ( or up to 2hrs for longer trips) this is what we are looking for. Our duty of care is always to members of the whole group which is why this issue needs careful consideration. There may be periods of time during many of our swims where we will pause to allow other swimmers to catch up or to explore certain features along the way – we wouldn’t want you to become uncomfortably cold because of this.

When planning our events we choose the time of year where we hope the weather will be spectacular but of course we can expect some rain at any time of year and with the river rising at 30cm an hour this can often lead to flash floods so be prepared for change of venue or postponement.

It could be sunny and still or it may be windy or raining, one thing we can assure you of is a warm river and lake welcome.

Check the weather forecast before travelling and pack accordingly. You will need to bring your own rucksack with waterproofs, extra warm clothes, swimming kit/wetsuit etc.

Please see kit list below:

• Costume

• Towel goggles

• Hat

• Water

• Shoes

• Tow float

• Wet suit

• Rash vest

All trips have been risk assessed and are insured.

Myself - qualified to the highest standard in open water swimming and a swim teacher for over 30 years swimming and specialising in the Wye, I regularly average 40 hours a week. I’m also a UKA qualified Coach, Kayaking instructor and have many First Aid qualifications to include the Great outdoors.

Our instructors - are qualified and experienced open water swim coaches, lifeguards, kayakers and fully qualified and trained in first aid with years of experience in open water swimming – you will be glad to know you are in good hands.

I use a mix of water swim guides and kayak safety escort when in the water to suit group size. We always use swim tow floats to increase visibility and Safety of group.

Yes, I hire basic swimming wetsuits £5 per event.

Please let us know as soon as possible if you’d like to hire one.

I need your UK dress size for ladies & chest size for men.

Other Open Water Swimming accessories are also available :

Water shoes are a must for river swimming £35

Swim hats £10

Swim robes £40

Swim cloaks £110

All can be found on my shop page

All participants must be 16 years or over, and those under 18 must be accompanied by an adult on all events and trips.

If you're booking your own family group event then minimum age is 6.

A reasonable level of physical fitness and walking experience will certainly add to your enjoyment of the event, but it is intended to show you the beauty of wild swimming , not a boot camp.

Check the grading system below when you book an event. This information is also on the events page. If you are still unsure just give me a call.

Everyone is welcome and we will do our best to make sure everyone in the group gets the most out of the event or trip without ever sacrificing your safety.

On our breaks we have built in a degree of flexibility so that there is usually an ‘opt out’ if you’d like a rest from swimming, we are also just as keen to make time for extra swimming opportunities for keen beans.

Yes all of my events or trips encourage friends or partners.

All of our trips with accommodation require us to book and pay for the accommodation in advance, this means the full trip price will be required whether or not you wish to stay in the accommodation.

A swimming only option may be available on a limited number of trips.

I will direct you to this form should you book a personal/group session with me.

Completion of this form is mandatory and you must bring it with you on the day.

Medical and Disclaimer Form - download here