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TOWS at Combs - Open Water Swimming 2024

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Welcome to TOWS - Toddbrook Open Water Swimmers currently operating at Combs reservoir

Glossop Triathlon Club are pleased to offer open water swimming sessions to all again this Summer 2024.  You don't have to be an all-year-round member of the Club, or a triathlete, our friendly sessions are open to all who wish to enjoy the open water in a safe environment. We run two session per week, with open water trained lifeguards, safety canoeists on the water, land-based spotters on the slipway and a clearly marked 350 metres course.  Our sessions are run entirely by volunteers on a not for profit basis.  All proceeds go towards hire of Combs Sailing Club, our Canal & Rivers Trust licence, car parking fees, equipment, safety training and water testing, and for GTC to develop training and other Club facilities.  Our safety procedures and risk assessments are reviewed every year and water quality testing is undertaken regularly.

  

Things you need to know.....

  • You must be able to swim 400 metres (16 lengths) comfortably and unaided.

  • You will need to wear a brightly coloured hat (available to loan or purchase)

  • Skins swimmers and those who are new to open water must wear a recognised brand of tow float (available to loan)

  • All swimmers must check in and out of the water on the slipway.

  • Juniors are allowed but must pass a swim test.  They must wear a tow float and be accompanied by a responsible adult at all times.  please contact us in advance to arrange a test.

When are the sessions?

Thursdays 5:30 to 7:30pm 

Saturdays 9 to 10am

Swimmers book an arrival time via TryBooking (free at the point of booking) for 5:30, 6:00, 6:30 or 7:00 (last entry 7pm) with a single entry/arrival time of 9am on Saturdays.  This is to control the flow of swimmers at our welcome desk.  Once you have arrived you are welcome to swim for as long as you wish up to 7:30pm or 10am respectively.  

How do I book?

Firstly, send an email to glossoptriclub@outlook.com requesting to be added to the TOWS email mailing list.  You will shortly receive an email back with further information.  All bookings are made through TryBooking, you will receive an email back with the link to the TOWS sessions.  Bookings open one week before the session and close at 2:30pm on Thursdays and 6:00pm Friday for Saturday session.  Please remember, no booking = no swim.  You must book a ticket via TryBooking for our insurance purposes.  

What if I need to cancel?

If you find you cannot attend, please cancel your ticket as soon as possible.  Our swimming is very popular and to keep everyone safe, we limit numbers in the water.  You can cancel your booking via Trybooking (see additional info below).  Please help us to do this – we appreciate sometimes things get in the way, but we do sometimes fill all spots and so if you cancel, someone else gets the opportunity to swim.

How much does it cost?

You can pay per swim on a PAYG basis: £8:00 payable by cash or card when you arrive at Combs (£5 per swim, £3:00 subs for insurance).  Monthly Summer Open Water Swimming membership - £18.00 payable on the 1st of the month by standing order to the Club account, ask for our bank details at your first session.  Discounts and Concessions are available for members of BTF and affiliated Clubs.

What facilities are there?

Toilet facilities are available on the boatyard as well as changing rooms in the Clubhouse.  Refreshments (hot drinks and biscuits) are served free of charge at the Clubhouse after your swim.  As the Clubhouse is on a septic tank we do ask swimmers to shower and thoroughly rinse their kit when they return home if possible.

Where do I park?

Due to the number of swimmers, on Thursdays we use the car park at Chapel Golf Club - making sure you park away from the Clubhouse.  It is a short walk from the Golf Course via a path through the trees to the main road where you can cross and follow the drive along the water to the Sailing Clubhouse.  On Saturdays, you may use the car park at Combs reservoir.

Can I bring my dog? 

You may, BUT all dogs MUST be on a lead and any dog mess MUST be picked up.  We are guests at both Combs Sailing Club and Chapel Golf Club and have had issues with inconsiderate dog owners.  If we do not adhere to these rules, we will no longer be able to run these sessions.  So, please dog owners, think about the impact of your actions on all the swimmers that love our sessions.

How to book via TryBooking

 

  1. Click on the Link (provided to you when you have registered on our distribution list)

  2. Select the session you would like to book

  3. Select the number of tickets for that session

  4. Complete the attendee details for each ticket (including emergency contact details and medical conditions/experience

  5. Select Purchase (payment is at reception on site)

  6. Your ticket you will be emailed to you (you won’t need this to register)

THIS IS IMPORTANT

Please ensure that you do not book anyone on to the session without emailing glossoptriclub@outlook.com and requesting to be added to our distribution list OR forward the link to others.

 

How to cancel your booking (from your email)

 

  1. Open the email you will have received with your ticket

  2. Scroll down to the section ‘No longer attending’ and click on the button ‘Cancel Tickets’

  3. Follow instructions to cancel no longer required tickets.

THIS IS IMPORTANT

You will receive a second email to confirm the cancellation. You must action this to complete the cancellation.

 

  1. Open the email you will have received with your ticket

  2. Scroll down and click on ‘Click here to confirm you are no longer attending’

  (you will receive an updated email with confirmation of updated booking)

 

Any issues with booking – please contact us on glossoptriclub@outlook.com

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