Stoke Newington West Reservoir reopens for wild swimming

By Hackney Citizen | Wednesday 12 March 2014 at 12:33
Taking the plunge: West Reservoir swimmers. Photograph: Greenwich Leisure Limited

Taking the plunge: West Reservoir swimmers last year (and no, that’s not a shark’s fin in the background). Photograph: Capital Tri

Open water swimmers who have been forced to keep a lid on their passion for splashing through big outdoor lakes during the coldest winter months are finally able to plunge into the cool, clear waters of Stoke Newington’s West Reservoir again.

The reservoir behind the Castle Climbing Centre on Green Lanes was thrown open to swimmers last year. It has been closed over the winter but is now open again.

‘Wild swimmers’ have to wear a wetsuit and pay £15 for an induction, which takes place Thursday evenings or Saturday mornings.

From then on sessions costs £5 for Better Gym members and £10 for everyone else.

You can book open water swimming in the reservoir for Thursday evenings, or Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday mornings. Call 020 8442 8116 for a slot and more information.

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10 Comments

  1. Dave on Wednesday 12 March 2014 at 13:05

    Ten quid for a swim seems reasonable…..



  2. Nakedrg23 on Wednesday 12 March 2014 at 13:29

    10 pounds for a swim!! GREAT!! Can I watch someone else swim for 5?



  3. Oliver on Wednesday 12 March 2014 at 14:46

    It is £20 membership to swim for a year in the Serpentine open 6.30-9.30 am and you can choose to wear wetsuit or not. Hmm someone is being a little bit over zealous I think.



  4. Pollo on Wednesday 12 March 2014 at 15:15

    It’s not really wild swimming if you have to go on an induction course first…and £10 a pop? Wow.

    Depressing.



  5. Lukasz on Wednesday 12 March 2014 at 22:54

    i always felt the leisure centres have underpriced the swimming experience and it only makes sense that the cost of this outdoors adventure reflect its value. thanks guys.



  6. sara stoneham on Sunday 16 March 2014 at 21:50

    I would love to do this but it is totally outside my means. What a shame.



  7. Anna on Tuesday 18 March 2014 at 22:03

    The whole ethos of wild swimming is that it is free. What do you get for your tenner? Gold-flecked duck shit?



  8. Lisa on Monday 19 May 2014 at 10:16

    £10 for an outdoor swim is extortionate! I use to go swimming in the reservoir late at night before it’s ‘official’ opening anyway.

    It’s a shame that this will become a triathlete and Hackney hipster hang-out rather than a place accessible to local families. A lost opportunity .



  9. Ole Martin Hansen on Monday 27 June 2016 at 19:39

    You could always trespass after closing and swim in the full moon. anyone interested?



  10. historytoday1 on Sunday 4 June 2017 at 11:43

    Joke. What are they teaching at the induction? That you need a wetsuit to swim outdoors. That you need a middleclass income to swim at all. Pathetic.



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