Covid-19 - Will swimming start again soon?

With the recent adjustments to the lockdown status we wanted to update subscribers on the current situation in relation to swimming as it applies to the Heath. 

We would all love to be back enjoying the water right now and we are regularly in contact with the Hampstead Heath management team trying to work out what plans can be put in place to start to re-open the swimming facilities in some way.

• Although the Prime Minister announced that swimming could resume in lakes and the sea, this does not apply to waters such as the Heath swimming ponds where legislation and Health & Safety Executive advice requires lifeguard supervision.The only exception to this is the Winter Swimming Club (WSC) at the Mixed Pond, which is licensed to allow swimming without lifeguards between October and April for certified members only. Swim England has been approached and has forbidden the WSC (an affiliate club of Swim England) to reopen until further notice. There are particular historic reasons for the club's existence that would make it difficult if not impossible to replicate at the other ponds even in normal times.
  
  
• There has been much publicity about the Serpentine re-opening for swimming this week. This is NOT for the general public but only for members of the Serpentine Swimming Club (with very limited opening hours), who are entitled, under a longstanding licence from the Royal Parks, to swim in the early morning without lifeguards all year round. In contrast, the Heath swimming associations are simply a user group and membership does not confer any rights to swim.
  
  
• The Royal Life Saving Society has not yet issued guidance but, having talked to our own lifeguards, we accept the City of London's decision that under current government guidelines it is not yet possible to resume swimming and ensure either staff or swimmer safety and protection from transmission of COVID-19.
  
  
• All Heath swimming associations are in ongoing discussion with Hampstead Heath management about plans to re-open the swimming ponds as soon as government guidance and Heath management allows. We will be contacting you again shortly with more information about these plans, but please note that timings will continue to depend on COVID-19 infection rates and control measures.

In the meantime, if you have any queries about matters such as season tickets please contact Heath management at hampstead.heath@cityoflondon.gov.uk. To report incidents such as members of the public swimming illegally or other infringements of lockdown rules on the Heath call the Heath Constabulary on 020 8340 5260 or in an emergency dial 999. Outside their hours of operation you can report the matter to the Metropolitan Police via 101 (in an emergency dial 999).

Mixed Pond Association Committee 
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