Dockland Dips

If you live, work or visit London, how about a swim in one of its most iconic venues – Canary Wharf? Supported by the National Open Water Coaching Association (www.nowca.org), the UK’s largest network of safe open water venues, Love Open Water (www.loveopenwater.co.uk) offers the opportunity to swim in the waters of Middle Dock, with views of the iconic One Canada Square and Newfoundland to enjoy from a whole new perspective. Love Open Water ensures that the water at Canary Wharf is regularly tested and reaches high levels of cleanliness as required by EU Bathing Standards, its sessions are lifeguarded and they can be enjoyed by competent open water swimmers over the age of 10. Regardless of ability or experience, all swimmers must have brightly coloured headwear (a swim cap, hat or headband) and a bright tow float in the water – access to the water is from a pontoon and changing huts are available. To take part you’ll need to purchase an annual membership which grants access to all 40 UK NOWCA locations and pay for each session you swim.

Love Open Water also offers swim sessions at London Royal Docks, and at both London venues a range of coaching can be arranged, to suit everyone from beginner swimmers to triathlon trainees. If you’re race-ready, a Royal Docks Swim event sees competitors completing five laps of a 1km course in one of three waves  – Relaxed, Medium and Fast – using front crawl, breast stroke, side stroke, or even doggy-paddle; the only stroke not allowed is backstroke.