MOUNTAIN
SWIMMING WEEKEND
an introduction to swimming in mountain environments
MOUNTAIN SWIMMING WEEKEND
There is more to swimming in a mountain lake than changing into your swimsuit, join me for two days for an introduction to swimming in the mountains, find out how to prepare for the perfect mountain swim.
'Wild swimming', 'Outdoor Swimming', I've even heard it called 'Wild Water Swimming' (which conjures up an image of sailing hopelessly down some rapids on the River Yukon), but really it's just plain old 'swimming'. Sometimes there is nothing wild about the serenity of a picture-perfect glassy lake under the summit of a mountain but on the other hand, the mountains can be a harsh environment, freezing cold, wet, windy and very serious.
This weekend isn't just about going for a swim, it's about how to choose a swim, the importance of the weather, what to take, managing expectations, dealing with changing plans and making decisions, with the objective that you leave with skills to have your own adventures outdoors in the future.
Each of the two days will start and end at either Llanberis or Capel Curig and where we go is totally dependant on the weather conditions on the day.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
GUIDING
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
TRANSPORT
(If you are coming via public transport please drop me a message)
LUNCH
HOT DRINKS
IN WATER PHOTOGRAPHY
ACCOMMODATION
COSTS
£180 PER PERSON
RATIO 1:6 PEOPLE
BESPOKE DATES CAN BE ARRANGED FOR GROUPS OF 4 OR MORE
WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING?
It is entirely up to you what you want to bring along, these days are about experiences, not endurance. But as a general guide, I would suggest...
Warm hat
Warm jacket
Waterproof trousers and jacket
Boots or trainers
Swimsuit/wetsuit
Swim hat/woolly hat (may get wet)
Goggles
Towel/Robie (Dry Robes can be a little bulky to carry on the mountains but if you can carry it you are very welcome to bring yours)
Personal first aid kit
Lunch
Hot drink
Rucksack to put everything in.
Note. I can provide a changing robe if required, please leave space in your rucksack.
WHERE TO STAY?
There is a full range of accommodation options in Snowdonia to suit every budget and taste.
The ones suggested below operate independently from me
HOSTELS
PLAS CURIG
01690 720225
YHA SNOWDON PEN Y PASS
0345 371 9534
HOTELS/GUESTHOUSES
GWESTY PLAS GOCH
01286 872122
PEN Y GWRYD HOTEL
01248 870211
CAMPSITES
DOLGAM
01690 720228
GWERN GOF UCHAF
01690 720294
WHAT PEOPLE SAY?
Of course, I think swimming in the hills is the most incredible experience, but read what other people who have joined me have to say about my Mountain Swimming Weekend.
Loved it, thank you. Amazing weekend!
I’m still smiling from the recent weekend of swimming in Snowdonia, thank you so much.
Amazing spot for a swim! Expertly guided adventure, thank you Viv for a great day.
A magical few days, thank you so much!
Vivienne is just brilliant. My partner and I took part in a Mountain Swimming weekend in June 2018. It was evident from the start that Vivienne knows her stuff - she instils confidence; she's a calming influence when I experienced some trepidation about being high up (I suffer from vertigo); getting into colder water etc. We learned a lot about how to plan a swim i.e. kit to take to cope with changing weather conditions; what to look for in terms of lake access points etc. The biggest bonus for me was the increase in confidence I felt at the end of the weekend in being able to plan a swim weekend on our own. Vivienne took us to the most beautiful of lakes - it was a magical experience. It was weekend that I'm sure we'll still be talking about in years to come. I highly recommend.
AVAILABLE DATES
Sat, 09 JulSnowdonia National Park09 Jul, 09:00 BST – 10 Jul, 15:00 BSTSnowdonia National Park, Capel Curig, Betws-y-Coed LL24 0EN, UKPlan, Prepare, Discover your perfect swim in the lakes of Snowdonia. There is more to swimming in a mountain lake than changing into your swimsuit, join me for two days for an introduction to swimming in the mountains, find out how to prepare for the perfect mountain swim.
Sat, 13 AugSnowdonia National Park13 Aug, 09:00 BST – 14 Aug, 15:00 BSTSnowdonia National Park, Capel Curig, Betws-y-Coed LL24 0EN, UKPlan, Prepare, Discover your perfect swim in the lakes of Snowdonia. There is more to swimming in a mountain lake than changing into your swimsuit, join me for two days for an introduction to swimming in the mountains, find out how to prepare for the perfect mountain swim.
Sat, 10 SeptSnowdonia National Park10 Sept, 09:00 BST – 11 Sept, 15:00 BSTSnowdonia National Park, Capel Curig, Betws-y-Coed LL24 0EN, UKPlan, Prepare, Discover your perfect swim in the lakes of Snowdonia. There is more to swimming in a mountain lake than changing into your swimsuit, join me for two days for an introduction to swimming in the mountains, find out how to prepare for the perfect mountain swim.
Sat, 08 OctSnowdonia National Park08 Oct, 09:00 BST – 09 Oct, 15:00 BSTSnowdonia National Park, Capel Curig, Betws-y-Coed LL24 0EN, UKPlan, Prepare, Discover your perfect swim in the lakes of Snowdonia. There is more to swimming in a mountain lake than changing into your swimsuit, join me for two days for an introduction to swimming in the mountains, find out how to prepare for the perfect mountain swim.
Sat, 07 MaySnowdonia National Park07 May, 08:00 BST – 08 May, 15:00 BSTSnowdonia National Park, Capel Curig, Betws-y-Coed LL24 0EN, UKPlan, Prepare, Discover your perfect swim in the lakes of Snowdonia. There is more to swimming in a mountain lake than changing into your swimsuit, join me for two days for an introduction to swimming in the mountains, find out how to prepare for the perfect mountain swim.
Sat, 11 JunSnowdonia National Park11 Jun, 09:00 BST – 12 Jun, 15:00 BSTSnowdonia National Park, Capel Curig, Betws-y-Coed LL24 0EN, UKPlan, Prepare, Discover your perfect swim in the lakes of Snowdonia. There is more to swimming in a mountain lake than changing into your swimsuit, join me for two days for an introduction to swimming in the mountains, find out how to prepare for the perfect mountain swim.
ABOUT ME
I am an artist, outdoor swimmer and personal trainer. I spilt my time between the mountains of Snowdonia in North Wales where I have lived since 2002 and on the beautiful South Coast in the New Forest where I grew up. My project #swimsnowdonia was listed amongst 'The 10 most inspiring adventures' in The Guardian and has been the focus of several short films including a music video for the band Elbow. 'Afterglow' a short film about my passion for both my creativity and cold water swimming won Best Woman in Adventure Gold Award at Sheffield Adventure Film Festival., Best Short Film at The Four Season Film Festival and was recently selected for The Patagonia Film Festival in Santa Monica. I was included in the first San Miguel Rich List, 'a unique list of men and women who value experiences over any possession' and listed as one of Britain's 101 Adventurers. I featured in an ITV documentary 'The Mountain ' which follows the lives of a selection of people who live and work on the busiest mountain in England and Wales, Snowdon as well as various features on the BBC, Sky Sports and Channel 5.
I am a Qualified Teacher, Personal Trainer, Mountain Leader, Open Water Swimming Coach, RLSS Open Water Lifeguard, RYA Day Skipper and hold RYA Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Offshore Theory. I hold Emergency First Aid in the Outdoors, RLSS Water Safety Management Level 1-3, STA Level 2 Swimming Teacher Award and Certificate, I am an RLSS Trainer and have more than 10 previous years of experience lifesaving in swimming pools.
