Open Water Swim season is here as of Thursday 18th May 2023!

Come join us every Thursday 6-7:30pm (8pm in summer) throughout May-Sep at Blithfield Reservoir Sailing Club, Waters Road, Rugeley, WS15 3DU. Here are some exciting new developments for you this year:

• We’re delighted to offer you a cafe with hot/cold drinks/snacks to enjoy before & after your swim (discounted prices for members) friends & family are also welcome to enjoy this service whilst spectating indoors or outdoors
• Dogs are welcome however must stay on a lead outside the clubhouse
• When the weather looks good we'll be hosting more social picnics & BBQs by the waterside for swimmers & spectators (so keep an eye on our social media to join us) including a joint social with the Sailing Club so we can get to know each other better
• Our new Head Coach & OWS Rep will be looking into coaching a few Open Water Skills Sessions (for both our Adult & Junior Members) TBC watch this space ... 
• Paddle Boarding & Winter Swimming may be coming soon, we’ll keep you posted …

We are very privildged as a club to have exclusive access to OWS at our local Blithfiled reservoir, in partnership with our friends at Blithfield Sailing Club. Our OWS is open to the public for £6 as well as Stafford Triathlon Club members for £4, there's no need to book, just pay on arrival via our card machine (please note we're trying to go cashless so card only) & if it's ever cancelled we will announce it in advance asap.

Upon arrival at Blithfield Sailing Club please drive through 2 gates and turn right into the car park, then you'll find us inside the Clubhouse (you should open/close each gate as you drive through) & please note the gates may have a padlock wrapped around them but it shouldn't be locked so you can remove it to enter.

For safety reasons, before anyone can open water swim with us, you MUST:

1. sign a new decleration form each year

2. be able to swim at least 800m

3. bring your own wetsuit as well as a whistle & brightly coloured cap (or towfloat) which are purchasable upon arrival for just £3 each

4. follow our Safety Rules & Code of Conduct when swimming with us

** children are welcome to swim as long as they are accompanied by an adult in the water at all times & wear a tow float & meet the requirements above

Finally we'd like to say a big thank you to all of our club volunteers who help make these sessions possible, without your support we wouldn't be able to host such a fantastic OWS for everyone (here are some instructions on managing a session & remember you receive a free swim on us every time you volunteer!) Furthermore, here you can find our Risk Assessment & Emergency Action Plan & Safety Checklist & Water Quality Guidance to familiarise yourself with ahead of our OWS sessions.

More Member benefits with Blithfield Sailing Club:

We are excited to tell you more about our growing partnership with Blithfield Sailing Club at Blithfield Reservoir.

Included in your membership with Stafford Triathlon Club, all our Staffies are now welcome in the clubhouse for free (usually £34 House Membership) for both our Adults & Juniors.

• discounted prices on drinks & food sold at the clubhouse bar/kitchen (there’s hot drinks, snacks & beers from £2!)
• unlimited use of the largest reservoir in Staffordshire with opportunities to join in the Sailing Club’s activities & events (from learning to sail, windsurfing, wingsurfing, foiling, wing foiling, racing or simply having fun, there is an activity for everyone) we hear Paddle Boarding is on it’s way soon too!
• unlimited use of Clubhouse facilities and the sailing of Radio Controlled model boats

If you require anymore information feel free to email our OWS Rep openwater@staffordtri.co.uk