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JUST PAST 1 YEAR AT HIGHAM

Hi everyone,

Oh my word what a year we have just had - Its been amazing and we have LOVED having everyone along for all that we managed to put on.

Thank you for being part of our special chapter 1


Chapter 2

As we move towards spring, we wanted to share a little update about what’s happening at H2o Trails and what the coming months will look like.

Over the past year we’ve been settling into our new venue and gradually shaping it into the swim space we always hoped it could be. H2oTrails isn’t just a swim location anymore — it’s a swim venue, which means we now manage the land as well as the water so that the whole experience works for everyone.

That includes creating proper parking, pathways down to the lake, toilet facilities and a space that feels welcoming and safe to spend time in. A lot of the past year has gone into quietly building and improving the site, and we’re really excited to keep developing it.

Behind the scenes we’ve been incredibly busy getting everything ready for the new season.

AND we aim to make this the best and safest outdoor swim and paddle board and sauna venue in Northumberland / Newcastle


Group Open Water Swims – Starting April

For those keen to get back into the water, our group open water swim sessions will start again in April.

These are relaxed, friendly sessions designed to help people enjoy open water swimming in a supportive environment. As the clocks change at the end of March, we’ll also begin adding more evening swim opportunities, giving people more flexibility to come down after work.


One-to-One Swim Sessions

If you’d prefer something a little more personal, we also offer one-to-one swim sessions.

These are ideal if you’re:

  • New to open water swimming

  • Wanting to build confidence

  • Looking to improve your swim technique

  • Returning after time out of the water

Working one-to-one allows us to tailor the experience and help you settle into open water at your own pace.


Membership & Safety

Safety has always been a huge priority for us.

Our membership system helps us keep everyone safe and organised. It allows us to:

  • Keep swimmer details and waivers up to date

  • Manage attendance safely

  • Maintain regular water testing

  • Ensure the site, equipment and safety systems are properly maintained

  • Support our trained lifeguards during sessions

Running a safe open water venue involves a lot behind the scenes, and membership helps make that possible.


A Small Team (and Amazing Volunteers)

It’s worth mentioning that most of the day-to-day running of H2oTrails is still just the two of us, handling the admin, organisation and site work.

We’re incredibly lucky to have a small team of volunteers who help us look after the land, improve the site and — very importantly — keep the sauna stocked with wood.

We’re hugely grateful for their support.


Paddleboards & Upcoming Events

As well as swimming, the lake is also available for paddleboard hire if you’d like to spend some relaxed time on the water.

We’re also planning a swim and paddleboard festival event later in the season, which we’ll be sharing more details about soon. OUTDOOR SWIM FESTIVAL 27th June


Come Join Us

We genuinely love this venue and the community that’s growing around it, and we’d love to share it with you.

If you’d like to swim with us this season, you can:

  • Join a group swim session

  • Book a one-to-one swim

  • Or get in touch if you’d like to paddleboard

If you have any questions, please bear with us — we’re doing our best to keep up with messages and admin!


We look forward to seeing many of you back in the water soon.

See you at the lake.

H2oTrails



 
 
 

Fenwick Ridley & Robson Green at H2oTrails, Sweethope Lough

"Fenwick Ridley's Unforgettable Outdoor Swimming Adventure with Robson Green and Angela Lonsdale on BBC 2's Weekend Escapes"

Robson Green at H2oTrails in Sweethope Lough with Fenwick Ridley
Fenwick Ridley and Robson Green

Join me, Fenwick Ridley, on an extraordinary outdoor swimming escapade featured on BBC 2's popular TV series, Robson Green's Weekend Escapes. In a memorable episode, I had the pleasure of guiding Robson Green and Angela Lonsdale from Coronation Street on an exhilarating outdoor swimming experience at the picturesque H2oTrails venue located at Sweethope Lough.


About H2oTrails and Sweethope Lough:

H2oTrails is my passion project, and Sweethope Lough serves as the perfect backdrop for a one-of-a-kind outdoor swimming adventure. Nestled in breath taking surroundings, Sweethope Lough provides a serene and natural setting for those seeking an immersive and refreshing outdoor experience. We are incredibly lucky to have this special place in Northumberland.

And here at H2oTrails we provide top quality lifeguarded swim sessions and coaching for kids and adults Outdoor Swimming and paddle boarding. Not forgetting that we also run winter swimming and high quality workshops to help teach about cold water with expert TeamGB Ice swimmer Fenwick Ridley aka GB Ice Viking (True Northumbrian)


The BBC 2 Episode: In the featured Weekend Escapes episode, Robson Green, with his outdoor swimming experience, was in his zone, while Angela Lonsdale candidly expressed her nervousness. However, with a careful and professional touch, I, Fenwick Ridley, provided coaching to ease Angela into the water. Thanks to the shallow sandy floor at Sweethope Lough, what started as apprehension turned into big smiles and a buzz of delight as Angela realized just how invigorating and enjoyable outdoor swimming could be.

Taking BBC2 weekend escapes outdoor swimming with H2oTrails at Sweethope Lough
Fenwick Ridley taking Robson Green And Angela Lonsdale

Why Outdoor Swimming?

Discover the benefits of outdoor swimming and why it has become a favorite activity for enthusiasts like Robson Green and Angela Lonsdale. From the physical health benefits to the mental rejuvenation that comes from embracing nature, outdoor swimming at Sweethope Lough offers a unique and holistic experience.


Join the Adventure: Are you inspired by the Weekend Escapes episode and eager to embark on your own outdoor swimming journey? H2oTrails invites you to join the adventure at Sweethope Lough. To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience, we require participants to sign up as members on our website at www.h2otrails.co.uk. Please provide all requested information, especially details about your swimming experience, as this helps us determine whether a guided 1:1 lesson is necessary.


Membership Benefits:

  • Access to exclusive outdoor swimming events and experiences.

  • Regular updates on upcoming activities and adventures.

  • Priority booking for guided 1:1 lessons based on your experience level.

Sweethope Lough Guidelines:

Sweethope Lough is a private lake venue, and we kindly request that visitors do not turn up without signing up as members first. Due to limited parking availability, signing up allows us to manage the number of participants effectively. Additionally, please note that Sweethope Lough is not a public picnic area. We appreciate your cooperation in maintaining the tranquility and exclusivity of this unique outdoor swimming location.


Connect with Fenwick Ridley:

As the founder of H2oTrails and the host of this memorable Weekend Escapes episode, I invite you to connect with me, Fenwick Ridley. Follow my outdoor adventures, sign up for membership on our website, and join me in embracing the beauty of Sweethope Lough and the joy of outdoor swimming. Your next unforgettable experience awaits!








 
 
 

The Winter Swimming Forgotten Tool, The wet stuff


the importance of hydration often takes a backseat for a lot of people but not on purpose for most.

However, the relationship between hydration and our body's thermal regulation in water is a critical factor that can significantly affect our ability to rewarm, adapt, signal and more.


In this blog, im going into the reasons why staying hydrated is super doopa paramount for maintaining an efficient thermal balance for winter swimming and how dehydration can impede the rewarming process and more.


I get alot of people asking me about why is it I took ages to re-warm today ?

Majority of the time its to do with the small but big factors,

Think - F. R. E. S. H

winter swimming and hydration
GB Ice Viking / Fenwick Ridley

awareness

FOOD / REST / EXPOSURE / STRESS / HYDRATION


Food- being aware of the need in fuel to burn, as we burn so much during and after.


Hydration - The ultimate tool to so much of the whole process including strength in thermal regulation.


Sleep - we need to be on good form/alertness and ready for the mammoth of energy used.


Stress - being aware that if you have been somewhat stressed it will impact your energy for all the processes


It's all energy


So if energy or fuel or hydration is down, you can be sure to be told by the cold.

As it requires levels to be fairly good.


OK lets focus a little more on Hydration for now.


Thermal Regulation in Cold Water:

*A Delicate Balance*

Our bodies are finely tuned machines, constantly striving to maintain an internal temperature within a narrow range for optimal function. When immersed in water, the challenges to this thermal balance increase, as water conducts heat more efficiently than air. To counteract this, our bodies engage in complex thermoregulatory processes to preserve heat, and hydration plays a key role in supporting these mechanisms.


The Role of Hydration in Thermal Regulation: A Deeper Dive

Sweating and Evaporation:

  • Hydration facilitates the body's ability to sweat, a crucial mechanism for cooling down during physical exertion, including water activities.

  • Sweating in water relies on the evaporation of sweat from the skin's surface. Proper hydration ensures an adequate supply of sweat to enhance this cooling process.


Blood Circulation and Heat Distribution:

  • Dehydration leads to a decrease in blood volume, affecting the body's ability to circulate blood efficiently.

  • Efficient blood circulation is vital for distributing heat throughout the body, especially in water where the thermal gradient is more pronounced.

  • we basically have a large change in blood pressure and being hydrated is one of the main tools to allow this to work


Metabolic Rate and Energy Expenditure:

  • Hydrated individuals maintain a more stable metabolic rate, which influences the body's heat production.

  • Adequate hydration supports the body's energy expenditure, contributing to maintaining a balanced internal temperature.



The Link Between Hydration and Rewarming: Unveiling the Effects of Dehydration


Slower Rewarming:

  • Dehydration hampers the body's ability to generate and retain heat, leading to a slower rewarming process.

  • In colder water, this delay in rewarming can increase the risk of hypothermia and other cold-related conditions.


Increased Vulnerability to Cold Stress:

  • Dehydrated individuals are more susceptible to cold stress, as the body struggles to conserve and distribute heat effectively.

  • Prolonged exposure to cold water without adequate hydration can result in a compromised rewarming response.


Think of how you cool and how the body continues to cool when we exit the water and then as we manage our selves properly and wrap up after drying the skin we start curve up on a scale just like the letter U, COOLING then that change in temp is that curve at the bottom. BUT if someone is lacking fuel or low on hydration that curve becomes wider.



Practical Tips for Staying Hydrated in Water:

  1. Pre-Hydration:

    • Ensure you are adequately hydrated before engaging in water activities.

    • This is best to get on to of 2 days prior

  2. Regular Fluid Intake:

    • Consume fluids regularly, even if you may not feel thirsty while in water.

  3. Rehydration Post-Activity:

    • Replenish fluids lost during water activities through post-activity rehydration.


BUT - Also remember that we need to look at replenishing the correct salts also (electrolytes)

Maybe another blog on the salts and effects but also the differences of juice and good drinks to help hydration ?


Take away tip - coconut water is amazing for hydration (one of the best)



So, the next time you embrace the water, remember that staying hydrated isn't just about quenching your thirst—it's about safeguarding your body's intricate balance in the aquatic realm.

 
 
 
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