Nene Swims start this Thursday from Woodford.

For the last few years, we have swam in the River Nene from Woodford to Castor, on Thursday nights.

The proposal is to meet at a different venue along the Nene each week, swimming out (¾ mile) against the current and back with the current. Each swim will be approximately 1.5 miles

The first swim is at Woodford on Thursday (25th May). We will meet and park in The Moorings, which is just off Church Street in Woodford NN14 4HN for 6:30pm. NOTE this is where we met last year. The swim is here https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/4407422740 Meeting at 6:30pm should avoid any boat traffic, but you still need to be vigilant, wear a brightly coloured hat, and stay together. Everyone is welcome. The faster swimmers either wait every now and again, or swim back. Swimmers can, if they wish, turn back early in pairs, and meet back at the finish, so why not buddy up with a friend, and turn back together, whenever you have swam your distance.

If you are new to this and want to get an idea, have a look at previous years' Forums, e.g. http://pactrac.co.uk/forums/topic/833. Please note that this is not an official club swim and everyone participates at their own risk, being jointly responsible for everyone else. You will need to sign in and out so that we know who is there, and a summary of the main risks is on the back of the form.

Finally: It is important that everyone is aware that there are some risks associated to river swimming; that everyone is primarily responsible for their own safety (not Pactrac or any other individual); but that we also look out for each other. The key risk is getting hit by boats - this is why it is important to stay in groups, wear colourful caps and look up/wait to regroup, regularly. Other risks are stomach upsets (so don't swallow the water!) and trips&slips around the structures, and of course, encounters with wildlife, especially swans and turtles... We've not had any serious incidents, but need to raise awareness again so that we can keep it that way. There is a Risk Assessment which you can find via this link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0ByEw-8T01JgedXJ0c2pCb0d2M0E/edit?usp=sharing. If you come along on the swim, you will have signed in with a copy of the RA on the back.

Martin T put a great video together of our Woodford swim in 2021 https://www.facebook.com/martin.thorpe.397/videos/4062957400464118

Hopefully, we'll see a few there on Thursday night. We are meeting at Scott and Sue’s house in Woodford and there will be cups of tea / coffee and some snacks ready for when we finish.

We had a good swim at Woodford last Thursday night in tropical 18.1C, as well as people on the bank counting us all back in. Thanks to Sue and Scott for the refreshments.

This Thursday 1st June we will meet at Meadow Lane, Denford, NN14 4EH by the car garage at 6:30pm. See the route here https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/4407438487

Again we will be swimming 3/4 mile up-stream before returning to the start point with the current behind us, so approximately 1.5 miles, to the bridge and back, although you can turn back at any point.

Please be vigilant, wear a brightly coloured hat, and stay together. Everyone is welcome. The faster swimmers either wait every now and again, or swim back.

This week's Nene Swim will be at 6:30pm on Thursday 8th June at Thrapston.
We will swim out (¾ mile) against the current and back with the current, so approximately 1.5 miles, to the A14 bridge and back, although you can turn back at any point.
Please be vigilant, look out for boats, wear a brightly coloured hat, and stay together. Everyone is welcome. The faster swimmers either wait every now and again, or swim back. If you're not sure about the distance / pace, why not "buddy-up" with someone in advance.

https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/4415980726

We will meet at Thrapston for 6:30pm. Park in the car park, on the way to the Middle Nene Sailing Club NN14 4LU. The address is Meadow Lane, which you will approach either from De Vere Road (if coming from the north) or Chancery Lane (if coming from the south, east or west).

Meadow Lane starts at the Thrapston sports club by Green Lane. At the sports club playing fields, take a left into the wooded dirt road (this is Meadow Lane) and follow it until you get to a car park on the right.

PLEASE NOTE: I won't be there this Thursday, but Martin will have the forms to sign and some flapjacks whilst Becs will take the coffee. Please check the mapmyrun route map above, so that you know where you are going.

Next week's Nene Swim will be at 6:30pm on Thursday 15th June at Thorpe Waterville.
We will swim out (¾ mile) against the current and back with the current, so approximately 1.5 miles, to the bridge and back, although you can turn back at any point.

We will need to get out (and in again) at Titchmarsh Lock (950 metres), which is next to the Marina, so look out for boats, which are also moored at the sides of the river.

https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/4434900139

Meet at the Nene bridge just west of Thorpe Waterville. Coming from Oundle on the A605, take a right at The Fox Inn in Thorpe Waterville, then follow the signs to Aldwincle, taking a left at the fork in the road. We will get in at the second bridge. There are 1 or 2 spaces on the right and two more on the left. If this is full, there are further spaces beyond the bridge (or you could park on a verge in or near Thorpe).

This week's Nene Swim will be at 6:30pm on Thursday 22nd June at Wadenhoe.
We will swim out (¾ mile) against the current and back with the current, so approximately 1.5 miles, to where the trees finish on our right and the river bends 90 degrees to the left, although you can turn back at any point. There are no locks tonight, just the weir on your left soon after the start.

https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/4443100234

We get in at the back of the Village Hall Car Park, which is at the end of Church Street, just past The Kings Head pub PE8 5ST. Parking is difficult and you may find some street parking a little further back into the village. The VH car park is chargeable and has Number Plate Recognition Cameras. You can park in there, but will need an APP from Ringgo https://www.myringgo.co.uk/apps It's a great stretch of river. Take the time to look up at the church as you pass.

This week's Nene Swim will be at 6:30pm on Thursday 29th June near Lilford. Park on the Pilton side of the traffic lights or in the middle of them on the bend.

We will swim out (¾ mile) against the current to where the footbridge is, and back with the current, so approximately 1.5 miles, although you can turn back at any point. We will get in at the woods and swim 150m to the lock. There are 3-weirs on our right as we swim out.

https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/4479162133

It's difficult to pin-point a postcode (PE8 5SG will get you within half a mile), but half-way between Oundle and Thrapston on the A605 there is a roundabout. Turn towards Lilford/Wadenhoe. Then you just keep going until you come to some Traffic Lights and park just after these.

This week's Nene Swim will be at 6:30pm on Thursday 6th July from Oundle Mill (Barnwell Mill) PE8 5PB. Park on Barnwell Road, Oundle, at Oundle Mill. This week's swim will be a little different. We will swim 570 metres DOWNSTREAM to Oundle Lock, turn and retrace. We then swim UPSTREAM from Oundle Mill Lock for 780 metres to where the rowing boats launch, and again turn and retrace with the current now behind us.

If you want a shorter swim, the option is to do just one of the two legs - they both end up at the start at Oundle Mill. You can also turn back at any point, so an ideal swim for those that might want to go a little shorter.

https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/4483739887

This week's Nene Swim will be at 6:30pm on Thursday 13th July from Oundle Boat House, (diagonally opposite the Wharf) PE8 5TW. There is parking at the Wharf or by the old Riverside Inn nr the A605 roundabout.
We will swim 3/4 mile against the current, under the A605 bridge, under the Nene Way footbridge and turn at the Weir to retrace. You can turn back at any point, if you want a shorter swim. There are no locks this week.

https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/4503566524

Thanks to Martin, Grace and Chris we had a veritable feast once again after last week's swim.

This week's Nene Swim will be at 6:30pm on Thursday 20th July from Fotheringhay. PE8 5HZ. There is parking on the verge just as you leave Fotheringhay heading towards Tansor.

We will swim 3/4 mile against the current, and turn at the house at Bluebell Lakes; although you can turn back at any point, if you want a shorter swim. There are no locks this week.

https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/4508847490

Finally: It is important that everyone is aware that there are some risks associated to river swimming; that everyone is primarily responsible for their own safety (not Pactrac or any other individual); but that we also look out for each other. The key risk is getting hit by boats - this is why it is important to stay in groups, wear colourful caps and look up/wait to regroup, regularly. Other risks are stomach upsets (so don't swallow the water!) and trips&slips around the structures. And of course encounters with wildlife, especially swans and turtles... We've not had any serious incidents, but need to raise awareness again so that we can keep it that way. Their is a Risk Assessment which you can find via this link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0ByEw-8T01JgedXJ0c2pCb0d2M0E/edit?usp=sharing. If you come along on the swim, you will have signed in with a copy of the RA on the back.

This week's Nene Swim will be at 6:30pm on Thursday 27th July from Warmington Mill PE8 6TJ.
Turn off the Warmington/Fotheringhay RAB on the A604 towards Fotheringhay and then take an IMMEDIATE right (opposite the Petrol Station) to Warmington Mill. There is restricted parking at the end of this dead-end road, so we need to park a little further back on the verge.

We will swim 3/4 mile against the current, and turn at the trees before Fotheringhay Castle; although you can turn back at any point, if you want a shorter swim. There are no locks this week except at the exit. Bring some swim shoes for the long walk to the start, and stay and enjoy the banter, coffee and flapjack afterwards.

See the route map here https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/edit/4535577412

This week's Nene Swim will be at 6:30pm on Thursday 3rd August from Elton Mill PE8 6RQ.
Park by the Green in Duck Street near to the Crown Inn.

We will swim 3/4 mile against the current, and turn either at the tributary or just beyond, at the end of the trees on our left, although you can turn back at any point, if you want a shorter swim. There are no locks this week, except at the exit which is quite shallow and easy to negotiate.
See the route map here https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/4512257770

As a reminder, some recent swimming accidents elsewhere have highlighted the need to regroup every now and again, and to keep an eye on each other.

See you on Thursday.

This week's Nene Swim will be at 6:30pm on Thursday 10th August from Nassington. Park on the grass verge just outside of the village on Fotheringhay Road, near to the old Black Horse Pub PE8 6QU.

We will swim 3/4 mile against the current, past the weir on our left at 975-metres, and turn at the end of the long straight, where the trees begin on our left. You can turn back at any point, if you want a shorter swim. There are no locks this week, but bring some shoes as there is a trail walk to get to the start.

See the route map here https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/4512271870

This week's Nene Swim will be at 6:30pm on Thursday 17th August from Wansford. We get in by the bridge opposite the Haycock. There is parking available on either side of the road. PE8 6JB.

NOTE: The Bridge in Wansford is currently closed to traffic, so if coming from the North you can either park that side and walk across the bridge or drive south on the A1 and turn at Stibbington to head back North.

We will swim 3/4 mile against the current, past the lock at 900-metres, and carry on towards the new houses on our left, where there is an island to swim around and return.
You can turn back at any point, if you want a shorter swim. There is one lock this week (to be negotiated twice).

Once again, this is not an official PACTRAC session and we all take part at our own risk and look after one another, regrouping at various points.

See the route map here https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/4512325189

This week's Nene Swim will be at 6:30pm on Thursday 24th August from Nene Valley Railway, which is on the Old Great North Road near Stibbington. PE8 6LR. Park opposite the Railway Station, which is where we get in.

We will swim 3/4 mile against the current, past the Boatyard to where the woods start on the left.

You can turn back at any point, if you want a shorter swim. There are no locks this week.

See the route map here https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/4512352561

Only 3 more to go including this one.

Only two more swims now. This week's Nene Swim will be at 6:30pm on Thursday 31st August from Water Newton Mill. Park on the Old North Road PE8 6LU. Approach Water Newton on the A1 from the North. If approaching from the south, the turn can be very busy and sharp, so it's best to travel 1.5 miles further north and take the Stibbington turn off, and then take every right turn, pass the Stibbington Diner on your right, and turn right back onto the A1.

We will swim 1.3km against the current and turn back just before we reach the waters of the new Sibson Marina on our left.

You can turn back at any point, if you want a shorter swim. There are no locks this week, other than where we get in/out.

See the route map here https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/4512367477

Hint: Martin is away this week, so NO flapjack is currently on the menu.

Note: Thursday is the first day of Burghley Horse Trials, so there may be more traffic about.

Note 2: It's a FULL MOON on Thursday, so an extra reason to go swimming.

This week's Nene Swim is the LAST one for 2023. We will meet at 6:30pm on Thursday 7th September in the Nene Trust Car Park at the top of Splash Lane, Castor PE5 7BD. Turn off Peterborough Road in Castor at the sign for Woodlands / Care Home. Go straight to the bottom of Splash Lane. Do not take the right-turn half-way down, but carry on to the end of this road/dirt track, to the car park. It's a good walk to the river so bring some shoes.

We will swim 1.1km against the current to the lock at Water Newton and then retrace. It's a shorter section as the nights are drawing in - although the river temperature is still 18 degrees. You can turn back at any point, if you want a shorter swim. There are no locks this week.

See the route map here https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/4512373948