This has made the front page of The Times today:
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Nowca maiked me yesterday, i think Victoria Docks are open
That swan ain’t happy about it! Probably posted on Facebill to complain about it right after this incident!
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There was a bit of a “debate” on our OW FB group at the weekend.
We posted the Swim England advice not to open until they’ve resolved the issues with lifeguards and rescues etc. and said that we would be following that and see what comes out of the zoom on Wednesday.
One of our swimmers (who I think must swim at another venue too) asked if that meant other venues had jumped the gun by opening already. The owners of another venue, who had opened, then weighed in with some quite curt responses, one of which was that they were NOWCA so Swim England/BTF/RLSS advice didn’t apply to them.
I deleted the argument and told everyone that we do not discuss/criticise other venues and we all make the best decision as we see it.
I did go and look at the NOWCA website though and there’s very little information other than to say many of their venues are closed but please pay your subs on time.
Having swum with them for many years, they are a bit marmite. I love what they do on a basic level (they offer decent OW swim options at value for money) but they have always tried to position themselves as a pseudo-governing body without really any evidence they are capable of doing so. I know they got a lot of other venues to sign up to them, and from what I read online nothing changed except for swimmers in those venues now having to pay for a wristband.
My view is that without the commercialism they offer, I doubt a venue in the London Docks would have been possible. But that commercialism has drawbacks too.
Looking at their booking app, it does seem they’re open this evening, tomorrow evening, and Saturday morning. I could book a 55min slot for the normal £8. The need to cycle there is really going to test how much I want it…!
Boundary Park has just gone live for 2020 Bronze and above members - prebooked slots only.
Very nice email explaining why the cost is higher and it’s only temporary.
I hope they move to doing ALL DAY sessions soon 
I AM IN 
Thursday 5-6pm (after hot days all week, it should be nice and toasty!)
£6.50 - so a £2.50 increase.
Yeah they approached us and we declined on the basis we couldn’t see any benefit to us or our swimmers and they get money and loads of personal data. We’re well established and don’t struggle for numbers but could see if starting a new venue, getting on their scheme might be beneficial.
the venues near here expect you to turn up ready to swim. Id love some photos of you riding in a wetsuit 
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lol
There’s loads of open public space around the docks. And even in normal times changing is just beneath a towel in front of the passing public. I’d just do the same here, and if they got really fussy, lock my bike up around the corner!
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i’m guessing there’s probably a forum dedicated to that sort of stuff?!
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Yeah I swam at the victoria docks once - with membership my most expensive swim ever and with the most rudimentary changing “facility” Ive ever seen. Leaving bags unattended in a tent. Didnt go back.
But that’s no different to any NOWCA venue. Docks didn’t cost be anything extra initially because I already had my membership from Thorpe. If you just go to a NOWCA venue once, then yes, the £12 annual membership is going to make it seem very expensive.
Bag drop is no different from Thorpe, where you just left it by the bus. Thorpe was lucky that they had the waterski facilities. You can often use similar on the pub boat next door in the evenings if you ask nicely and say you’ll stay for a drink. They’re also in the process of creating a bit of clubhouse, but it’s never going to be practical as a widespread changing space given the amount of people that swim there, effectively being in central London.
Nah, that’s East London, but like us Norwf Landaners calling Hampstead central!
Geographically, yes. I was more meaning the fact in normal times people can get the tube there in a few minutes from Canary Wharf or the City, and hence it’s usually packed.
You transported your bath all the way from your old house to your new one? Blimey.
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Yes, it’s been on the trainer since January.
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