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Swimming outside before it's deemed warm enough

Eltanin

Asked by Eltanin about 1 year ago for 5 kudos
Best answer by willster
Last active about 1 year ago 6 responses

A friend has decided that for her 30th in mid-April, she wants to get together a gang of people and go swimming, outside, in London. And in a lake, not a lido. She’s found that none of the obvious places for this, such as Hampstead Heath, opens until May (you can say what you like about the nanny state, I’m in total agreement with them on this). She won’t take no for an answer though, and is determined to see it through. So I have to ask: do any of you know a lake where one can swim legally in London before May?

If I were being truly picky, I’d like it to be near Brixton and have heated towel rails and free hot toddy. Failing that, anywhere within an hour’s drive will do.

I’m only trying to help because I love her so – I abhor the cold, especially when allied with the wet, and can think of many, many better ways to spend her birthday afternoon than attempting to retrieve my balls from my abdomen with a sink plunger. So if any of you actually can help, and we end up following your advice, consider the five kudos earned to be paid with gritted teeth. If none can help, the most authoritative and convincing “No chance” gets them.

Thanks.

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6 responses

willsterpremium

I’d just go for it at Hampstead Heath. What’s the worst that can happen? An angry parkie saying ‘oi! get out of the lake’, by which time you’ll have had a dip, your support of your mate will be confirmed and you can nip off to the Spaniard’s for a proper birthday do. Hurrah.

Posted about 1 year ago by willster

willsterpremium

this thread might help a bit, too?

Posted about 1 year ago by willster

Floatykatja

I agree with Willster – just go for it. Because it’s not officially open, there won’t be any lifeguards and boring people like that to stop you. You could even go at midnight just to add to the illegality of it all.

Just try not to drown yourselves.

Posted about 1 year ago by Floatykatja

flippy

Trafalgar Square.

Posted about 1 year ago by flippy

MrsMoo

I have a friend who swims every day in the ponds on Hampstead Heath. Yes, every day.

And he’s never been arrested, nor is he the only one breaking the ice before immersing himself at the crack of sparrow’s fart in the morning.

I’m concerned for his sanity, not to mention worrying that he’ll never have children… but I know it’s possible without repercussions – so go for it!

Posted about 1 year ago by MrsMoo

Eltanin

Aye, well cheers for the thoughts, but she ended up chatting to some wild swimming chap and now we’re all high-tailing it down to some place near Gillingham, apparently. Gillingham! I can only hope her infamous flipflopping lands us somewhere closer when it comes to it.

Posted about 1 year ago by Eltanin