Our members don’t just run – they are a keen bunch of other sporty types. Here, Alison Lowe gives us the low-down on her (very chilly sounding) swim across Derwentwater.
This was my third visit to the Keswick Mountain Festival in the Lake District – but not for a run but a swim.
The festival covers a number of different sports – from trail/fell running , swimming and cycling and also hiking and all with different distances to choose from. You can opt for a swim bike and run to create a triathlon over the 2 days.
The trail running is quite serious terrain and not my thing so I chose to do a swim instead. They offer 3 distances, 500m and 1500m from the festival area and then the full length of Derwentwater – which I chose to do – a 3.6km swim.
The swim starts with a boat ride – to the other end of the lake ! We start of High Brandelhow and from there swim back to the festival site at Crow Park. The swim is well supported with boats and kayaks.
Both this year and last year we were really lucky to have glorious weather – the scenery is so much better in the sunshine as well as keeping the surface of the water warmer. The first part of the swim was quite choppy from boats and the general swell and I was just hoping it wouldn’t be like this for the full distance – but thankfully the water settled and was calm for the rest. With the lack of rain over the previous weeks the water level was really low so for the last 200m of the swim it was only in 2 feet of water – so the last section was a breastroke/commando crawl through the soft mud and weeds ! I was pleased to have finished the swim quicker than last year.
Both the Friday and Saturday nights there is a music festival as well ( the cost is included with an event ticket) with a glorious backdrop of the lake behind the stage – an event enjoyed by participants and locals alike.
If you enjoy outdoor sports is well worth having a look at what’s on offer as there is something for everyone. By the end of the weekend in Keswick everyone is wearing the same T-Shirt!
– Alison Lowe