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16 SEPTEMBER 2017 | SWIMSERPENTINE.CO.UK Swim Serpentine OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF SWIM SERPENTINE Please read these instructions very carefully and keep them safe; in the following pages you will find all the information you need to have a trouble-free and enjoyable day at Swim Serpentine on Saturday 16 September 2017. We will do our utmost to look after you on Swim Day. All you need to do is follow the few simple guidelines here. PLEASE READ

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16 SEP TEMBER 2017 | SWIMSERPENTINE .CO.UK

Swim SerpentineOFFICIAL MAGA ZINE OF SWIM SERPENTINE

Please read these instructions very carefully and keep them safe; in the following pages you will find all the information you need to have a trouble-free and enjoyable day at Swim Serpentine on Saturday 16 September 2017.

We will do our utmost to look after you on Swim Day. All you need to do is follow the few simple guidelines here.

P L E A S E R E A D

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Welcome 02

Welcome to Swim Serpentine

Welcome to the second Swim Serpentine festival of open water swimming.

We are thrilled Swim Serpentine has returned after thousands of swimmers took part in the successful inaugural event last year.

Staged in Hyde Park, the open water swimming venue for the London 2012 Olympic Games, Swim Serpentine is another great sporting legacy from those inspirational Games.

This year’s event is bigger and better. We have added half-mile and two-mile swims, and the Super Six challenge, to the programme in addition to the one-mile swim. These new events mean swimmers of all ages and abilities can enjoy open water swimming in the spectacular setting of the Serpentine.

Swim Serpentine 2017 is also extra special because we will witness the first people to complete a brand new challenge, the London Classics.

This unique challenge celebrates participants who have completed the ultimate mass-participation challenge by running the London Marathon, cycling the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100, and swimming two miles at Swim Serpentine.

I believe this will become one of the world’s great sporting challenges. Over the years, the London Marathon has inspired hundreds of thousands to take up running and we hope the London Classics will inspire tens of thousands to try a new sport. (Turn to page 15 for more details.)

Finally, we would like to thank The Royal Parks for allowing us to use the Serpentine and we hope that you have a wonderful swim in this truly beautiful setting.

Best wishes,

Hugh BrasherEvent Director

A HISTORY OF SERPENTINE SWIMMING

While Swim Serpentine is a relatively new event, the Serpentine Swimming Club is the oldest swimming club in Britain and steeped in history.

The Club is perhaps most famous for its Christmas Day race for the Peter Pan Cup. Records show that the first Christmas Day race took place in 1864, a year after the Football Association was founded.

The Serpentine was constructed between 1730 and 1733 after a request by Queen Caroline, wife of George II, who wanted an ornamental lake to further enhance Hyde Park’s beauty.

As London’s population grew, Hyde Park became more and more popular as an area for recreation and relaxation for the urban masses. The opening of the first London Underground line in 1863 made the park even more accessible to the pioneering open water swimmers of the Victorian era.

Unlike many of the gentlemen’s clubs being founded at the same time, the Serpentine Swimming Club was not housed in a grand building. Instead, the club members had to content themselves with the shelter of an elm tree, surrounded by a wooden bench, where swimmers would leave their clothes.

The Club also holds a race every Saturday morning throughout the year. The length of these races, which range from 40 yards in January to one mile in the summer, is determined by the water temperature. In January this can be as low as 10˚C, occasionally rising to 20˚C in July and August.

Five years ago, the Serpentine featured as the venue for the open water swimming events and the triathlon swim at the London 2012 Olympic Games. Last year, the inaugural Swim Serpentine saw more than 4,000 people enter the mass-participation one-mile swim, a fitting legacy of the Games.

This year, Swim Serpentine is even bigger with several new events added to the one-day open water swimming festival. We hope you have a wonderful time at the event!

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS & PARTNERS

HUUBOfficial wetsuit and swimming accessories partner of Swim Serpentine huubdesign.com

SWIM SECURE Official Tow Float supplier of Swim Serpentine swimsecure.co.uk

VIRGIN MONEY GIVING Official online giving partner of Swim Serpentine uk.virginmoneygiving.com/giving

THE ROYAL PARKS Official partner of Swim Serpentine royalparks.org.uk

SWIM ENGLAND The national governing body for swimming in England swimming.org

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03 Before Swim Day

TRAINING ADVICEAt this year’s Swim Serpentine, you will be swimming in half, one or two-mile events.

Before Swim Day, you must be able to comfortably swim in a pool, without stopping, the same distance you are tackling in the Serpentine.

Here is a rough guide to help you:

- Half a mile is 805 metres, which is roughly 32 lengths of a 25m pool and 16 lengths of a 50m pool.

- One mile is 1609 metres, which is roughly 64 lengths of a 25m pool and 32 lengths of a 50m pool.

- Two miles is 3219 metres, which is roughly 129 lengths of a 25m pool and 64 lengths of a 50m pool.

As part of your training, you should aim to swim at least twice a week, three times if possible, and one of your sessions should take place outdoors.

For training tips, technique advice and open water swimming suggestions, visit swimserpentine.co.uk/training.

BEING SWIM FITThe easiest way to become swim fit is to regularly use a swimming pool or lido.

BEING ACCLIMATISED TO SWIMMING OUTDOORSOn Swim Day it could be cold and dull or bright and sunny, and the water could be calm or choppy. To enjoy the swim, you should be comfortable swimming in all conditions. It is very different swimming outdoors compared to swimming in a pool. There is no black line on the bottom of the lake to follow, the water may not be as clear, and you must look up to see which direction you need to swim.

If you are new to open water swimming, aim to train in a variety of open water conditions before Swim Day.

If you would like to experience swimming in the Serpentine before Swim Day, the Serpentine Lido is open to the public seven days a week from 10:00 until 18:00 until 12 September.

Find out more at royalparks.org.uk/parks/hyde-park/things-to-see-and-do/sports-and-leisure/serpentine-lido

WEARING A WETSUIT OR USING A TOW-FLOATEveryone who takes part in Swim Serpentine must either wear a wetsuit or use a tow-float for safety reasons.

WATER TEMPERATUREIf the water temperature in the Serpentine

is under 15˚C, wetsuits are compulsory. If the water temperature is 15˚C or above, wetsuits are optional at Swim Serpentine but if you choose not to wear a wetsuit, you must use a tow-float.

In the lead up to the event, the water temperature will be regularly monitored and communicated to participants via Facebook.com/swimserpentine.

The anticipated water temperature is between 17˚C and 22˚C, but this may vary considerably due to the weather conditions in the weeks before the event. Please refer to the table on page eight for more information.

BUYING OR HIRING A WETSUIT OR TOW-FLOATYou can buy or hire a wetsuit from our official partners HUUB.

Visit huubdesign.com/pages/swim-serpentine to use the exclusive 20 per cent discount code HSS2017 on a variety of open water swimming products.

Swim Secure tow-floats will be available to hire or buy on Swim Day.

They can also be bought in advance at swimsecure.co.uk for £10, using the discount code SERPENTINE5017.

FINAL INSTRUCTIONS

Before Swim Day

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Before leaving home 04

Make sure you have the following in your kitbag before leaving home:

A copy of these instructions

Your wetsuit – if you are planning

to wear one. Please note that wetsuits are compulsory if the water temperature is below 15˚C

Tow-float – if you are planning to

use one, or hire details if you are collecting one from swimsecure.co.uk. Please remember, if the water temperature is 15˚C or above and you do not want to wear a wetsuit, you must use a tow-float

Your Swim Serpentine swim hat –

this must be worn and visible on event day. An additional swim hat can be worn underneath the official swim hat if desired

Goggles

Your timing tag

Two numbered wristbands – one to

wear and one to attach to your bag

Towel

A swimming costume – to enjoy

the hot tubs after your swim you will need to remove your wetsuit, so please bring appropriate clothing

A change of clothes for after

your swim

Wetsuit gloves and socks are allowed but swimming aids such as snorkels and fins/flippers are prohibited

FINAL INSTRUCTIONS

Before leaving home

HOW TO WEAR YOUR TOW-FLOAT:

1) Inflate your tow-float

2) Wear the belt around your waist, adjusting it so that it fits snugly and is securely fastened and comfortable

3) Ensure the short leash, attached to the tow-float, is lined up with the centre of your back

YourKitbag

With this booklet, you should have received a coloured swim hat showing your wave colour, which you must wear for your swim, timing tag and ankle strap, and two wristbands showing your swimmer number – one to be worn on your wrist and one to attach to your bag.

Please make sure you bring all of these essential items in your swimmer’s pack with you on the day, along with these instructions.

If you lose or forget any of these items before the swim, they can be replaced at the information point on the day of the event. Please note that there is a £10 charge to replace a lost timing tag, which will be payable on the day by cash, credit card or cheque before a new timing tag is issued.

YOUR SWIM HATIf you have a favourite swim hat that you usually swim in, you can wear this underneath your Swim Serpentine swim hat – but please take care not to overheat if it is warm on the day of the event.

YOUR TIMING TAGYour timing tag is enclosed with this pack. It must be attached to your ankle using the Velcro strap. If you are wearing a wetsuit for the swim, please ensure that the tag is worn over your skin and not over the leg of your wetsuit.

OFFICIAL TIMINGOfficial times will be based on the elapsed time taken by each swimmer between crossing the mats at the start and exit ramps. You must wear your timing tag in order to receive an official swim time. Do not wear somebody else’s tag.

Our team will carry out timing tag checks before the start. We will ensure that your timing tag details correspond with your swimmer number and wristband.

If they do not, you will be asked to step aside while the team investigates the discrepancy. For safety reasons it is essential we know exactly who is in the water.

DECIDING NOT TO SWIMPlease do not swim if you have an injury or if you have had any sort of virus or fever in the four weeks prior to Swim Day. It is not a risk worth taking.

If you decide not to swim for any reason, you must return your timing tag in the special freepost envelope enclosed with this pack.

It is a condition of the event that all timing tags that are not returned within 21 days of the event are subject to a £10 lost-tag charge.

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05 Getting to the Start

START/FINISH The Start/Finish Area of Swim Serpentine is on the north bank of the Serpentine, between the Serpentine Gallery and the boathouses. See the map above for the location of the Start/Finish Area.

We do not recommend driving to the event as finding suitable parking in the Hyde Park area may prove difficult and cause delays to your journey.

The Serpentine is located in Hyde Park

in the heart of central London and is easily accessible via a number of public transport options outlined below.

BY TUBEHyde Park Corner, Knightsbridge and Green Park Tube stations are all served by the Piccadilly line and are a short walk away from the Serpentine. Green Park can also be accessed via the Victoria and Jubilee lines.

Marble Arch, Lancaster Gate and

Queensway Tube stations on the Central line are located to the north of Hyde Park. If you are planning to travel via any of these stations, please allow plenty of time to walk through the park to the Serpentine.

We recommend that you travel to Lancaster Gate, Marble Arch, Hyde Park Corner or Knightsbridge Tube stations, where you will be able to follow a signposted walking route to the Start Area.

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Albert Approach Road

Policeman’s Path

North Ride

North Carriage Drive

North Carriage Drive

North Flower Walk

Main S

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Serpentine Road

Serpentine Road

Serpentine Road

South Carriage DriveNew Ride

Rotten Row

Rotten Row

Rotten Row

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The Cockpit

TempleGate

Serpentine Bridge

Buckhill

The Meadow

Reformer’s Tree

The Parade Ground

QueenElizabeth

Gates

AchillesGate

CurzonGate

Aldford StreetSouth Gate

Aldford StreetNorth Gate

GrosvenorGate

Upper BrookStreet Gate

AlbertGate

EdinburghGate

CoalbrookdaleGate

MountGate

Park Lane

Park Lane

FINISH RAMP

Check inCheck out

BoathousesSTART RAMP

MagazineGate

SWIM SAFE

Hyde Park Corner

Knightsbridge

Marble Arch

Lancaster Gate

Victoria

High Street Kensington

Bond Street

Getting to the Start

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Getting to the Start 06

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Policeman’s Path

North Ride

North Carriage Drive

North Carriage Drive

North Flower Walk

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Serpentine Road

Serpentine Road

South Carriage DriveNew Ride

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Buckhill

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The Parade Ground

QueenElizabeth

Gates

AchillesGate

CurzonGate

Aldford StreetSouth Gate

Aldford StreetNorth Gate

GrosvenorGate

Upper BrookStreet Gate

AlbertGate

EdinburghGate

CoalbrookdaleGate

MountGate

Park Lane

Park Lane

FINISH RAMP

Check inCheck out

BoathousesSTART RAMP

MagazineGate

SWIM SAFE

Hyde Park Corner

Knightsbridge

Marble Arch

Lancaster Gate

Victoria

High Street Kensington

Bond Street

PLANNED ENGINEERING WORKTransport for London will carry out planned engineering work on the following lines on Saturday 16 September:

There will be no service between Edgware Road and Hammersmith on the Circle line or the Hammersmith & City line.

London Overground will be closed between New Cross Gate and West Croydon and between New Cross Gate and Crystal Palace.

On the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) there will be no service between Stratford and Bow Church.

The TfL Rail line will be closed from Stratford to Liverpool Street station.

BY BUS There are several buses servicing the area around Hyde Park. Visit Transport for London’s website (tfl.gov.uk) to plan your journey and for up-to-date public transport information.

DON’T BE LATEPlease arrive at least an hour before your swim wave is due to start to allow plenty of time to use the changing facilities and go through the swimmer check-in process.

ACCOMMODATIONThere are a huge variety of accommodation options around Hyde Park. Check out visitlondon.com/where-to-stay for accommodation ideas to suit every budget.

KEY

Changing Tents

Information

Toilets

Baggage

Swim Serpentine course

Medical

Goody Bags

RefreshmentsR

Royal Parks RefreshmentsR

Swim Safe sessions at Serpentine Lido

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07 On Swim Day

There is no need to register on the day for Swim Serpentine. Everything you need for the swim is enclosed with this booklet – your swim hat, timing tag and ankle strap, and two wristbands. On the day, you simply need to arrive at least an hour before your wave start time.

YOUR START WAVEWhen we emailed you to confirm your entry into Swim Serpentine, we asked you to choose your wave time. We are expecting 16 waves of around 300 swimmers to take part on the day, starting between every 30 minutes and 55 minutes from 09:00 until 17:05. Please use the table on page nine to make sure you know your start time and wave colour well in advance of Swim Day.

WATER TEMPERATUREIn the lead up to the event, the water temperature will be regularly monitored and communicated to participants via Facebook.com/swimserpentine.

FINAL INSTRUCTIONS

On Swim Day

WATER QUALITYThe water will be tested before the event to ensure the water quality is of an acceptable standard. It is always advisable when swimming in open water to cover up any cuts and scratches and try not to drink the water. If you fall ill following a swim, advise your doctor when and where you have been swimming.

CHANGING FACILITIESThere will be separate male and female

WATER TEMPERATURE REGULATION TABLE (Mass Participation Events)

The anticipated water temperature is between 17ºC and 22ºC, but this may vary considerably due to the weather conditions in the weeks before the event.

Any amendments to the swim course, maximum time allowed in the water, and use of wetsuits and/or tow-floats due to the water temperature will be based on the guidelines outlined in the Water Temperature Regulation Table (see below).

Water Temperature

Wetsuits Tow-Floats Swim Distance

15-24.5°C Optional Compulsory if no wetsuit is worn ½, one, two-mile

Under 15°C Compulsory Optional ½, one, two-mile

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On Swim Day 08

changing facilities before the Start (dry change) and after the Finish (wet change) of the swim.

Please be changed and prepared to swim, wearing your swim hat, wetsuit (if you are wearing one) or tow-float and timing tag in good time before your wave is due to start.

There will be carpet/decking from the changing rooms to the Start and from the Finish, so you don’t need to wear any shoes to walk to the Start.

FANCY DRESSWe do not encourage fancy dress, as it can compromise your ability to swim safely, but if you do wear fancy dress, it is at the discretion of our water safety team, who will have the final say on what is and is not allowed.

BAGGAGE DROPIncluded in this pack are two wristbands

The Super Six Challenge offers experienced open water swimmers the chance to tackle a total of six miles at Swim Serpentine.

If you are one of our 60 registered Super Six swimmers you will start in a specially designated one-mile wave, then how you complete the six-mile challenge is up to you. Choose to swim event after event, or take a break before you continue on with your swim.

Super Six Challenge

You can watch and cheer on some of the world’s top open water swimmers competing in the elite and para-elite one-mile races.

Para-elite open water swimming has been pioneered by Swim Serpentine with one of the first para-elite open water swimming races. From the top talent of both pool and triathlon, once again we will see a line-up of top UK para swimmers at 09:00.

The world’s best open water swimmers, including the UK’s finest up-and-coming open water swimmers, will be going head-to-head in the elite races at 14:45.

Wave No + hat colour

Distance Start time

1 Elite men’s para race

09:00

1B Elite women’s para race

09:10

2 One mile 09:40

3 One mile 10:10

4 (Classics) Two mile 10:40

5 Two mile 11:30

6 Half mile 12:25

7 One mile 12:55

8 One mile 13:35

9 One mile 14:05

10 Elite men’s race

14:45

10B Elite women’s race

14:55

11 Two mile 14:56

12 Two mile 15:45

13 One mile 16:35

14 One mile 17:05

Finish 17:45

showing your swimmer number. Wear one around your wrist for the swim and attach the other to your bag before you hand it in at our baggage drop facility before your wave is due to start.

Please only bring essential items to leave at the baggage drop as we have limited storage space. Make sure you leave plenty of time to hand in your bag and get to the start of your wave.

To reclaim your bag after your swim, you will need to show your wristband to our event staff.

SWIMMER CHECK-INThe check-in area will open approximately 20 minutes before each wave starts.

Once your wave has been called, you have used the changing facilities and handed in your bag, you will be required to complete the swimmer ‘check-in process’ before starting your swim.

During the check-in process our team will ensure that your swim hat is on correctly, your swimmer number is visible and you are wearing your timing tag correctly before directing you to the Start Area.

Give yourself plenty of time to check in, then you can use the dunk zone and hear all the expert safety advice before your start.

DUNK ZONEIf you would like to acclimatise to the water before the start of your wave, you will be able to use the ‘dunk zone’ near the start ramp for a short swim. You will then be called out of the water shortly before your wave is due to set off.

SAFETY BRIEFINGOur staff will give you a final safety briefing just before your wave starts. This briefing will include information on the buoys that mark the course, what to do if you need assistance and what to do at the Finish.

SWIMMER TIMESYour start time will be recorded by your timing tag as you step onto the timing mat as you enter the water to begin your swim. Your finish time will be recorded as you cross the mats on exiting the swim area. To view your result after Swim Day, visit swimserpentine.co.uk.

See page 11 for information on age group prizes.

START WAVE TIMES

Watch elite invitational races

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North Carriage Drive

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South Carriage DriveNew Ride

Rotten Row

Rotten Row

Rotten Row

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The Cockpit

TempleGate

Serpentine Bridge

Buckhill

The Meadow

Reformer’s Tree

The Parade Ground

QueenElizabeth

Gates

AchillesGate

CurzonGate

Aldford StreetSouth Gate

Aldford StreetNorth Gate

GrosvenorGate

Upper BrookStreet Gate

AlbertGate

EdinburghGate

CoalbrookdaleGate

MountGate

Park Lane

Park Lane

FINISH RAMP

Check inCheck out

BoathousesSTART RAMP

MagazineGate

SWIM SAFE

Hyde Park Corner

Knightsbridge

Marble Arch

Lancaster Gate

Victoria

High Street Kensington

Bond Street

09 The Course & Finish

The Swim Serpentine course is one mile in distance. If you are swimming in the one-mile event, you will complete one lap. If you are taking part in the two-mile event you will swim two laps and you will swim half a lap if you are swimming half a mile.

All participants swim in a clockwise direction around large inflatable buoys that mark the course from the Start to the Finish.

Use these buoys to guide you as you make your way around the course. You must keep the buoys on your right as our safety boats will be operating in the centre of the course.

ATTRACTING ATTENTIONIf you require assistance during your swim, do not panic. If you are wearing a

wetsuit, roll onto your back and raise one arm in the air. If you are using a tow-float, hold onto it, then raise one arm in the air. One of our safety kayakers will attend to you as quickly as possible.

Please do not swim off the course or exit the water anywhere other than the Start or Finish. If you need to exit the water anywhere else, do so with the help of our water safety team.

Rescue boats will be on hand in case of an emergency, and lifeguards will be located at the entry and exit pontoons at the Start and Finish to supervise the entry and exit of participants into and out of the swim area.

LEAVING THE WATEROnce you have completed your event, swim under the finish gantry (you do not

FINAL INSTRUCTIONS

The Course & Finish

need to hit the gantry) and leave the water via the exit ramp, making sure that you walk over the timing mat to record your finish time. There will be a rinse zone after you exit the water.

CHECK-OUT AREAWhen you have made your way up the exit ramp, you will pass through the swimmer check-out area, where your timing tag will be collected by an event official. You will then receive your goody bag and medal.

BAGGAGECollect your bag from the baggage drop. Our staff will ask to see the wristband you’re wearing to identify you. Once you have collected your bag, you will be able to use the male or female ‘wet’ changing facilities.

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Changing Tents

Information

Toilets

Baggage

Swim Serpentine course

Medical

Goody Bags

RefreshmentsR

Royal Parks RefreshmentsR

Swim Safe sessions at Serpentine Lido

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The Course & Finish 10

EVENT PHOTOSMarathon-Photos.com is the official photographer partner for capturing your exciting moments at Swim Serpentine. Marathon-Photos.com will be there to photograph you as you enter the water at the Start, at the swim exit and with your medal after the event. We will email you 24 to 48 hours after Swim Day to let you know when your photos are ready to view and purchase.

You will be able to search for your photos by entering either your swimmer number or family name. You will also be able to download a free personalised event certificate. Go to Marathon-Photos.com and click on ‘Swim Serpentine’ to register your interest in being notified about your photos.

YOUR TIMEYour swim time will be posted online at swimserpentine.co.uk after the event.

AGE GROUP PRIZESThe mass-participation swims are not races, with the main focus on fun. However, specially designed age group medals will be mailed out post-event to the top three male and female finishers in the following age group categories for the one and two-mile swims: 16-24 years old, then 10-year age bands starting at 25 years old.

The half-mile swim is a fun event, although the top three male and female finishers in the 12-13 and 14-15 age categories, who

are unable to enter the longer events, will also be awarded medals.

FIRST AIDThere will be medical support at the event for all swimmers. Our safety team works closely with our medical provider to ensure a safe swimming environment for all.

THE ROYAL PARKSThe Royal Parks Agency has allowed us to use Hyde Park. We are grateful to the Royal Parks Agency for its assistance and would ask that you show your appreciation by treating the area with the respect it deserves and not littering the park and surrounding areas.

SPECTATORSSwim Serpentine is a one-day open water swimming festival. Entry is free for spectators and grandstands are provided in the event area for friends and family to use, as well as spectator areas around the Serpentine. There will also be a public wheelchair viewing area adjacent to the grandstands.

FESTIVAL ACTIVITIES Swimmers and spectators can enjoy aqua-themed activities including immersive virtual reality, water zorbs, outdoor games and face painting.

You can also put your freestyle speed to the test on the ergometer and watch our synchronised swimmers dazzle with their acrobatic performances in the Serpentine.

If you are completing the London Classics at Swim Serpentine 2017, your two-mile swim will begin at 10:40 or 14:56. You have been emailed this information and the swim hat you have received should be silver.

Once you have completed your swim, you will be presented with the specially-designed London Classics medal engraved with the words: Et ego Londinium vici (I too have conquered London).

You will also have the opportunity to have your photo taken with your medal in front of a London Classics Hall of Fame backdrop to celebrate your fantastic achievement of running the London Marathon, cycling the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100, and swimming two miles at Swim Serpentine.

If you would like a commemorative London Classics photo as part of your Marathon-Photos.com package, please allow extra time in your day to have your photo taken.

Swim England, the national governing body for swimming in England,

and the RNLI, the charity that saves lives at sea,

will be offering children the opportunity to take part in a Swim Safe session and learn how to stay safe while swimming outdoors. Swim Safe provides free outdoor swimming and water safety sessions for children aged between seven and 14. The annual programme is run at numerous locations across the country, but this will be the first time it is held in central London, when the sessions will take place at Swim Serpentine. The hourly sessions will run throughout the day at the Serpentine Lido. All equipment will be supplied and pre-booking is essential. To find out more about the sessions and to book your place visit swimsafe.org.uk.

TheLondonClassics

Swim Safe sessions for kids

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11 Your essential kit list

FINAL INSTRUCTIONS

Your essential kit list

WETSUITWetsuits are designed to keep you warmer during an open

water swim and provide extra buoyancy. The increased

insulation allows you to focus on completing your swim

rather than worrying about your body temperature.

Make sure you are comfortable in your wetsuit before taking on an open

water swimming event. Some swimmers find wetsuits

restrictive so it’s a good idea to get used to wearing it

ahead of Swim Day. Wetsuits can cause chafing so consider

using a lube such as HUUB Sport Luub to prevent this.

11

2

3

2 3

SWIM HATYou should have received a

silicone swim hat for the event. These hats are in a variety of colours that correspond to

your wave colour.

If you have a favourite swim hat, you can wear

this underneath your Swim Serpentine hat. Wearing two

swim hats will keep you a little warmer if it is a cold day, but

if it’s hot please wear only one swim hat to reduce your

chances of overheating.

During your open water swimming training, it is always

advisable to wear a brightly coloured hat, so you are

more visible.

GOGGLESThe goggles you use in the pool are adequate for open

water swimming, but you may want to invest in a mirrored

pair, which can help to reduce glare on sunny days, or a

polarised pair to enhance the light in overcast conditions.

Your goggles should be comfortable and not too

old and scratched or foggy that you can’t see through

them clearly.4

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Safe outdoor swimming 12

With the waters warming during the summer, you may be thinking about taking your training into

the open water in the lead up to Swim Serpentine.

To help you to do this in a safe and enjoyable way, we have put together 10 simple rules for you to follow:

ALWAYS SEEK LOCAL ADVICECheck the tides and currents and ask about any hidden structures or foliage that you might encounter during a swim.

LOOK FOR EASY ACCESSNot only for getting in, but also for getting out of the water. A steady slope or beach is ideal.

DON’T DIVE OR JUMP IN! Enter the water slowly to acclimatise to the temperature and understand the water’s behaviour. A slow start will also make it easier to identify any hidden obstacles or foliage.

TAKE IT EASY If you are new to open water, or are still becoming familiar with swimming in the outdoors, swim within your depth in areas where you are able to stand up comfortably.

NEVER DRINK Alcohol and swimming do not mix!

GUARD AGAINST TIREDNESS Find out about currents and tides which might cause you issues in bodies of water, such as seas or rivers.

BE SEEN Wear a brightly coloured swim cap and tow-float to make yourself more visible in the water. It’s a great way to be seen in the water.

KNOW YOUR LIMITATIONS Just because you can see an island, a buoy or landmark, it doesn’t mean you can get to it.

WATCH OUT FOR TRAFFICCheck for any motorised boat traffic in the area, avoid commercial boating/ferry routes and busy jetties.

SWIM WITH A BUDDY Swim with someone, whether they are swimming with you, are on the shore or in a boat.

Safe outdoor swimming

TOW-FLOATA swim tow-float attaches around

your waist to a belt and a short leash enables you to tow a small inflatable

‘buoy’ behind you. The Swim Secure tow-float provides increased visibility so you can always be seen in the water, and if you get cramp or need a rest you can simply hold onto the float rather than

tread water. These floats are now widely used and are a recognised safety device

in open water swimming.

4FLIP FLOPS

There will be carpet/decking from the changing rooms to the start and from the finish,

so you don’t need to wear any shoes, but flip flops may be useful for relaxing in

after your swim.

BEAT CHAFINGPrevent chafing around wrists, ankles etc when

wearing a wetsuit by using a sports lube stick.

OTHER ITEMSYou are welcome to wear neoprene

gloves, socks and boots at Swim Serpentine, but if you do decide to

wear any additional items, try them out in training before the event to make sure they fit properly and don’t result in any drag. These items are all designed to keep your body warm in open water, but do not wear anything that makes

swimming more difficult or that you find uncomfortable.

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13 Open water swimming tips

FINAL INSTRUCTIONS

Open water swimming tips

HOW TO NAVIGATE A MASS STARTIf Swim Serpentine is your first open water swimming event, going from the lanes of a pool, with a handful of people around you, to the Start Line of a mass-participation event could be a daunting experience. But you can prepare yourself for what lies ahead by following these top tips...

As you approach the start pen, look for your key sighting points (buoys, trees, buildings, etc) and make sure you know the direction you will need to swim. Does the course lead in a straight line from the start, or does it veer off to either the left or right?

To avoid getting caught up in the rush at the start, position yourself to the side or back of the group to give yourself room to concentrate on your own swim.

Once you’ve entered the water, remember to swim at your own pace. Take time to orient yourself and don’t start too fast.

At the start there will be a lot of splashes and movement in the water, so when you breathe and sight you may have to lift your head a little higher out of the water.

Ahead of Swim Serpentine, you can practise a mass start with your training partners or friends at a pool or swimming lake. It’s a

good idea to try starting at the front, in the middle, and at the back and sides to see where you feel most comfortable.

HOW TO SWIM IN A GROUPYou need to be aware of your surroundings and position yourself to avoid clashes with others when swimming in a group. One advantage of swimming in close quarters is drafting, which means swimming directly behind another swimmer. Drafting can save you energy and enable you to swim faster for longer by lengthening and slowing your stroke rate.

To draft safely and effectively, here are a few pointers to guide you on your way:

Position yourself just to the side of the swimmer you want to draft, between their hips and ankles to make the most of the bow wave created by their shoulders. This will help you avoid getting kicked and splashed, while giving you the space to sight and breathe.

Sight past the swimmer you are drafting to ensure you’re swimming the correct line – drafting is pointless if you’re swimming further than you need to. Be aware of what the swimmer you are drafting is doing; take note of their pace and change in speed.

These drafting techniques can be practised in the pool as a group by rotating the lead swimmer with each length. Give the lead swimmer a head start and move into position. Play with it; find out what works best for you.

HOW TO SIGHTSighting is an essential open water swimming skill and one you’ll need to use if you’re to take the most direct route around the course. Sighting means lifting your head out of the water to see which direction you are travelling in. You should aim to lift your head forward and up until your eyes are clear of the water to pick out a point to aim for, such as a marker buoy.

For breaststroke swimmers, sighting is not much of a problem, as you will be looking forward every time you lift your head to breathe.

For freestyle swimmers, it will take a slight adaptation of your stroke to lift your head clear of the water. Lifting your head too much will cause problems for your body position, so you need to be able to do it as effectively as possible. The key is to fit each lift of the head into the natural rhythm of your stroke and only lift as much as necessary.

New to open water? Follow these simple tips to make your swim go more smoothly…

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The London Classics 14

The London Classics is one of the world’s greatest sporting challenges and is set to be completed for the first time ever at Swim Serpentine on Saturday 16 September 2017.

The challenge requires participants to run the London Marathon, cycle the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100, and swim two miles at Swim Serpentine.

Everyone who completes this iconic trio of events will receive a specially-designed London Classics medal engraved with the words: Et ego Londinium vici (I too have

conquered London) and will be listed in the London Classics Hall of Fame.

There is no time limit on when this trio of events can be completed and they can be done in any order. Anyone who has completed the London Marathon since 1981 and cycled the

Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 since its inception in 2013 is eligible to enter.

The first chance for people to complete the London Classics comes at this year’s Swim Serpentine on Saturday 16 September with the introduction of the new London Classics two-mile swim. The deadline to apply to take part is 17:00 on Friday 15 September 2017.

For more information and for your chance to become one of the first people to complete the London Classics, visit swimserpentine.co.uk/london-classics/

Double Olympic gold medallist Heather Stanning will enter the London Classics Hall of Fame after Swim Serpentine