Children between 10 and 12, who are strong swimmers, may swim subject to parent or legal guardian permission. They must complete a competency assessment and will be required to wear a wetsuit, and use a tow float (which we will provide). They must be closely accompanied in the water by a responsible adult, who must swim close to them at all times. 

Children aged 13 and above, who are strong swimmers, may swim subject to parent or legal guardian permission. They must complete a competency assessment and will be required to wear a wetsuit and use a tow float (which we will provide). They must be accompanied by a responsible adult who may be required to swim with them. 

Under 10s may swim with a parent or guardian at the discretion of Do3 staff, if they can demonstrate that they are strong swimmers. Please contact us before booking by emailing enquiries@do3.co.uk.

Adult supervision must be 1-2-1 and children are not permitted to wait alone on the bank whilst their accompanying adult swims.

It’s worth bearing in mind that swimming in a lake is very different from swimming in a pool. Cold can affect children more quickly so they need to be monitored closely, and there is no edge to hang onto or shallow areas to stand up and rest like there is in a pool. Their wetsuit should be tight fitting and flexible to keep them warm and allow them to swim more easily. Wetsuits with 'growing room' will fill with water and be heavy, cold and hard to swim in. There is no pressure for anyone to swim around the full loops if that may be too far though, we are happy for people to stay in our warm up area until they feel ready to go off around the lake.

Wearing a wetsuit is optional, but recommended in the early season. Everyone’s reaction to the cold water is different and if you’ve not done open water swimming before you will find it very cold.  Should you wish to wear one, a close fitting wetsuit will offer you warmth and buoyancy.  Swim specific wetsuits are a lot easier to swim in than surf wetsuits (which are not very flexible in the shoulders)

Under 16 degrees wearing a wetsuit is compulsory unless you’re very experienced because of the risk of cold water shock.  Any swimmer without a wetsuit must use a tow float. If you are swimming at one of our night swims, you must use a tow float whether or not you wear a wetsuit.

Whilst we can’t recommend a wetsuit specific to your needs, we have created an informative video which should cover off most of the popular questions we get asked.  We would recommend a swim specific wetsuit rather than a surfing wetsuit. The video can be found on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8a-fKW2mQM&t=23s.

It’s fine to swim front crawl and breaststroke.  Backstroke is not allowed because it can look like the swimmer is summoning help.

Yes, although you must exit the water by the end of the session you have booked unless you have informed the entry staff of your wish to swim through. In this case you will be given an orange hat so we know to leave you alone at changeover time. All swimmers must receive a safety briefing before entering the water, even if they have been before (the briefing will be much shorter for repeat swimmers).  Swimmers must also be checked in by the staff on the check in desks.

There are two loops - one is ~250m and the other is ~600m. Swimmers must swim anti-clockwise and stay on the marked course, swimming directly from buoy to buoy. There are areas of the lake which are strictly out of bounds either to protect wildlife or because they are not visible to safety staff; it is imperative that swimmers stay out of these areas.

Because of fresh water mussels in the lake there will be matting on the floor at the entry/exit point to protect swimmers' feet.  Their shells can be sharp so be cautious when putting your feet down and try to swim up to the matting if you can. The edges of the matting will be marked with flags on the bank so you know where to aim for.   Unless there is an emergency you must only enter and leave the lake at the designated start/finish point. 

The water temperature fluctuates between around 13 and 27 degrees depending on the time of year. It is published on our website, and the check in and safety staff will always be able to advise you what the temperature is on that day because it is taken before every session.

Yes! At each session we have a lifeguard, two rescue trained kayakers, and at least two spotters. All new swimmers receive a safety briefing from the session manager before swimming, and regular swimmers receive any updates as required.

If you are swimming without a wetsuit then a tow float is mandatory. If you are under 16 a tow float (and wetsuit) are mandatory. If you are swimming at a night swim it is mandatory to use a tow float, even if you are wearing a wetsuit.

Yes! All swimmers must wear a brightly coloured swimming hat - not white nor silver (due to the glare on the water), or dark colours.

We hire out tow floats at the lake on a per session basis. We have the following available to purchase: tow floats, swim hats, changing robes, swim towels, as well as hoodies and t-shirts. West Midlands Wetsuit Hire are at some swim sessions to sell or hire out wetsuits, and sell other swim related equipment.