Open Water

We launched open water swimming in 2025 with the generous support from Sports Islington and The Jack Petchey Foundation and aim to continue this in 2026*

*Update 2026 Open Water season will follow in our weekly newsletter in February 2026.

Venues

Parliament Hill Lido and West Reservoir.

Eligibility

Swimmers must be 8 and over and a member of Hackney Anaconda.

We have separate sessions for Master swimmers.

Why Try Open Water Swimming?

Open water swimming is more than just a great workout — it teaches:

Confidence and independence in varied environments
Navigation skills through natural conditions like sun glare, currents, and chop
Drafting and pack swimming to conserve energy
Transferable skills for triathlons and adventure races
Resilience and adaptability in the face of nature's unpredictability
Competitive success at London Regionals and Age Group National Championships...all in a supportive and structured setting with our coaches and support!

Open Water Competitions

Some of our swimmers compete at the SE London Regional and National Open Water Swimming Championships.

What to bring?

Wetsuits are optional for all sessions but suggested for anyone concerned about the temperature (we will have a 2-3 spare wetsuits that kids can try out during a session)
Basic swim kit - Swimsuits, towels, goggles
If water is above 18°C, swimmers aged 13+ will be encouraged to go without wetsuits, depending on conditions and weather.
Session length will be adjusted depending on water temperature and conditions.

Sign Up

Questions? Please contact us HERE.