Open Water Swimming. Woodford to Castor.

Only 5 swimmers at Wadenhoe last Thursday, so I'm assuming that it's still a bit too cold for people at the moment. This Thursday, 23rd May, we will be getting in at Wadenhoe at 6:30pm again, for an acclimatisation swim. If their are enough takers then we hope to start the 30-mile Nene swim on 30th May.

See you at Wadenhoe on Thursday 23rd.

Summer is here, and it's time to start the full Nene swim from Woodford to Castor this Thursday 30th May. This is a great adventure, and has become an annual Pactrac tradition. You don't have to be a top swimmer to come along - we usually have the full range, all the way from breaststrokers to accomplished Ironman swimmers. Everyone is welcome. The faster swimmers either wait every now and again, or swim back.

We need to make a start, in order to reach Castor by September. This is now the ninth year that we are doing a Pactrac Nene Swim Marathon. We start at Woodford and then make our way to Castor, 30-miles downstream, in fifteen bite-sized chunks, on Thursday evenings. 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/490.

The first stage is this Thursday, 30th May, from Woodford to Denford. The route is on MapMyRun: http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/96296057

We will get in just upstream of the village of Woodford and swim down to Denford. MapMyRun says it's 1.73miles, so that's a good distance to start with. This is a really pleasant, open and rural stretch of the Nene. We will have our first lock to cross and will finish at the second lock. Denford is where the Nene Turtle was spotted eight years ago. Maybe he'll be waiting for us again.

The plan is to meet at the finish at Denford, and then share cars to the start. That makes it easier for most people to get home after the swim. So we will meet in Denford for 6.15pm, near Meadow Lane which leads to the lock where we will finish this leg. Meadow Lane is in the centre of the village, across the road from the petrol station / pub on the Denford High Street, you can't miss it.

We will then take a few cars (no big silver van again this year, unfortunately), to drive to the start in Woodford. We will park at the end of Church Street; from Woodford's village green, take one of the narrow lanes to the bottom of the village and then turn right. Note there isn't much car parking space. From the end of Church Street there is a footpath; turn left just after the gate and you'll get to the river. We will start the swim at 6.30pm. If anyone is able to bring any designated drivers along, that would help a lot with the logistics.

If you are not confident to do the whole swim, you could come to the finish and swim upstream until you meet the others. Don't do this on your own (for safety), but there may be a few others interested - best to post on the Forum.

We will do a short briefing before the start and you will need to sign in and out. We will have kayak cover for most of the legs, but again, everyone still participates at their own risk. Their is a Safety Briefing attached, but please bring a brightly coloured hat, just in case we encounter any boats.

Can you also post on the Forum if you think that you might be late, or intend to do things slightly differently. The full 15 Stage swim is also on the Forum.

See you there.

The 30-mile Woodford to Castor Thursday night swims start on 30th May.

30th May Leg 1.....Woodford - Denford......................1.73 miles.
6th June Leg 2.....Denford - Thrapston.......................2.10 miles.
13th June Leg 3.....Thrapston - Thorpe Waterville.....2.40 miles.
20th June Leg 4.....Thorpe Waterville - Wadenhoe....1.90 miles.
27th June Leg 5.....Wadenhoe - Lilford.......................1.40 miles.
4th July Leg 6.....Lilford - Barnwell Mill.......................2.02 miles.
11th July Leg 7.....Barnwell Mill - Ashton....................2.13 miles.
18th July Leg 8.....Ashton - Cotterstock......................2.23 miles.
25th July Leg 9.....Cotterstock - Bluebell Lakes..........2.00 miles.
01st Aug Leg 10....Bluebell Lakes - Warmington........1.97 miles.
08th Aug Leg 11....Warmington - Elton Bridge............2.04 miles.
15th Aug Leg 12....Elton Bridge - Nassington.............1.71 miles.
22nd Aug Leg 13....Nassington - Wansford.................2.48 miles.
29th Aug Leg 14....Wansford - Nene Valley Railway...1.90 miles.
5th Sept Leg 15....Nene Valley Railway - Castor.........1.90 miles.

Total 30 miles.

I'll join in tomorrow,and might even bring some flapjack!
Phil.

See you next Thursday. Hopefully Phil might have flapjacks again the following week... (can’t go without!) :-)

Sorry Graeme,I won't be there next week!
I'll be in Cornwall for a couple of days diving,and for the 1mile Castle2castle swim race across the Fal estuary at Falmouth on the Sunday.
I doubt that I'll make the Nene Swim regularly again,but who knows!

Hopefully see you for one swim before the end. Enjoy Cornwall

We had a decent turnout last Thursday, with 10 swimmers, a flotilla of kayaks going the other way, and a very angry swan. We didn't spot the Nene turtle, but the river was warm and Sean was there to supply the coffee, with Martin and Phil supplying the Flapjacks. All good fun.

The second leg is this Thursday, 6th June, from Denford through to Thrapston. We'll get in where we got out last week, at Denford lock. We will swim through Thrapston, crossing the A14 and the old Six Arches Bridge and get to Thrapston lock. We'll then do another kilometer or so along Thrapston marina to get to appr 2.1miles. The route of Thursday's leg is on http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/36511742.

Logistics:
As always we will meet at the finish at Thrapston Marina, ready to leave at 6:15pm; and then take a few cars to drive to the start in Denford to start the swim at 6.30pm. Park in the car park, just before the Middle Nene Sailing Club.

If you are late and can't make it to Thrapston in time, you can always go to Denford directly and someone can drop you back there after the swim. Let us know on the Forum if you intend to do this, or are likely to be late.

Directions
To get to the finish location in Thrapston is a bit complicated. The address is Meadow Lane, which is near the town centre and starts at the Thrapston sports club (Chancery Lane / 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 footbridge, where we will park at the end of the car park. The finish of this leg is quite a walk from here. Note: you can only get there by car from Thrapston town centre, not from Islip.

For those who go straight to Denford: you can get to the lock over the bridleway that runs from the village centre (petrol station, pub).

Please look out for boats, wear a bright coloured swim hat, and look out for one another.

I won't be there this week,so no flapjack from me I'm afraid!
For the record,I'm not getting back into the Nene Swim habit again as the pace is plenty quick enough for me,but I will show up from time to time!

This Thursday's swim is from Thrapston marina to Thorpe Waterville. This is one of the longest swims, at about 2.4-miles, so that's a bit longer than the previous swims - and the same as an Ironman swim! See http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/fullscreen/37200472/ for this week's route. We will swim for 50-100 metres before our first stop to regroup and adjust goggles.

The river snakes through the Thrapston lakes and Titchmarsh nature reserve on this leg, with a footpath on the bank for most of the way. We'll cross a few footbridges and then get to Titchmarsh lock and marina after about 1.8m. We'll cross the lock, and then it's just a few hundred meters to the finish.

As last week, the plan is to meet at the finish at Thorpe Waterville, ready to leave at 6.15pm for the drive to the start at Thrapston, where we will get in at around 6.30pm. The finish is the Nene bridge just West of Thorpe Waterville. Thorpe is on the A605. Coming from Peterborough, take a right at The Fox Inn, then follow the signs to Aldwincle, taking a left at the fork in the road. The finish is just a few hundred meters from Thorpe, 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).

Please let us know on the Forum if you intend to go straight to the start or may be late. If you are late and go straight to the start, we should be able to get you back to your car afterwards.

The start is (as always) where we finished last week, at Thrapston marina, so there'll be a bit of a walk to start with. Directions are on last weeks thread on the Forum.

I'd love to come along to get some OW experience. I doubt I could do the whole distance though.
Are there any OW training sessions to attend, or best to go to Tallington or Nene Park?

Hi Richard. Some sometimes start at the finish and swim towards us, meet us and then swim back with us. This doesn't happen that often, so you'd need to look out for it on Facebook or here.

Other open water swim venues with circuits and kayak safety include Nene Park, Tallington, Rutland Water and Box End at Bedford.

Richard,
I usually swim in The Nene.You would be welcome to join me any afternoon once the rain stops and the river-level drops!
I don't do anything fast,just a steady bimble of around one mile.
Over to you.
Phil.

Thanks Phil, that would be great. I will check back here, but also the Facebook group.
I live in Peterborough, but commute between there and Corby and willing to travel a bit anyway.
I was really hoping to have got out there by this stage of summer, but clearly the weather is against us.
I'm doing St Neots Sprint Tri in July, so I'll be in the river one way or another soon!

Are we going ahead with Thrapston to Thorpe swim this evening, or is the plan to go there and look at the river levels before deciding?

Richard,
For your info I don't do facebook or any other "social media",so you'll need my email address,which I'm sure Pactrac can supply.
Also,I'm away on holiday in Japan with "American Amy" from the end of June until mid-July.

This Thursday's swim will be from Thorpe Waterville to Wadenhoe. It's 1.9m (according to Mapmyrun), so that's a little bit shorter than last week. The route is on http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/37200776.

This section is very rural and remote. It goes past some fields and woodland, past the old Church at Wadenhoe on the top of the hill (take a moment to stop and look - it's a great view from in the water), and then finishes in Wadenhoe, right next to the old King's Head pub's beergarden.

The plan is once again to meet at the finish at 6.15pm. There is usually plenty of parking space in the Village Hall car park. Go into the village of Wadenhoe and turn right from Mill Lane into Church Street. The Village Hall car park is at the end of the road, past the pub and Village Hall on your left. The address is Church Street, Wadenhoe, Northamptonshire PE8 5ST. We will then drive to the start at Thorpe Waterville to get in at around 6:30pm - see last week's message for directions. Hopefully there will be one or two non-swimmers who can drop the swimmers off at the start.

Please post on the Forum if you intend to go straight to the start, or expect to be late.

This week's Nene Swim is the 5th leg, from Wadenhoe to Lilford, and is the most suitable for novice river swimmers. It is only 1.4 miles long (according to Mapmyrun)! and it's easy to get out earlier as well. If anyone is not very confident about the long distances, then this is the week to give it your first try! The route is on http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/39035798

We start near to the King's Head pub in Wadenhoe, and will have to get out again straight away to cross Wadenhoe lock. From there the river goes through the open fields, under a footbridge and then along a wooded hillside to the lock at Lilford. We then get back in to do the final 200 metres or so, to the day's finish, on the left bank, right across the river from Lilford Hall (great view!). There is no access to the river from here right down to Oundle Mill, about 2 miles further downstream (next week's finish). In order to limit next week's swim to a feasible distance, we want to get out at the far end of the field, just before the fence. Bring some shoes for the walk back to the cars.

We will meet at the finish near Lilford for 6.15pm and then drive to the start in a few cars. Directions to the finish: on the A605, drive to the roundabout halfway between Oundle and Thorpe Waterville. Take the narrow road to Lilford and Pilton (to the right when coming from Peterborough). Follow the road down the hill, through the new Traffic Lights and then over two humpback Nene bridges. We will meet at the car parking space 50m or so past the second humpback bridge on the right. There is parking space for 2 or 3 cars, with limited space on the verges nearby.

Please advise on the Forum if you intend to go straight to the finish, or expect to be late.

See you on Thursday.

We had 7 swimmers in the Nene last week ( 31 in 2017), so it's time to get that wetsuit out and join in the fun. This week's Nene Swim is the 6th leg, from Lilford to Oundle Mill. Mapmyrun gives this as 2.02 miles. The route is on http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/39514478.

We start across the river from Lilford Hall, near the road to Pilton. We will get in where we got out last week (which wasn't really that muddy...). The river runs through quite a remote area here; not even the Nene Way footpath follows the river. The last half mile is closer to Barnwell Road, and then we get to Oundle Mill. The finish is at the lock.

As always, we will meet at the finish for 6.15pm and then aim to drive to the start in 1 or 2 cars, for a 6:30pm start. Oundle Mill is on the back-road from Barnwell to Oundle, see http://www.oundlemill.co.uk/find_us.aspx. There is a lot of car parking space on the road verge next to the lock; You could also park in the restaurant car park across the river.

Important note: the Oundle Town Rowing Club have their weekly training session on the same stretch and around the same time and we always encounter a few rowing boats. They start from Oundle and go upstream and back. It will therefore be important that we are well-disciplined during Thursday's swim because the rowers won't be able to see us coming. Please wear a brightly coloured swim hat, look out for boats and bring your orange swim floats if you have one. It is essential that we keep together, and the lead swimmers don't get too far ahead, and keep stopping and either wait or swim back, at more frequent intervals. If you are likely to be too far behind, this is one to join in further downstream. Please be aware, and please keep to the right (as you swim toward Oundle), to minimise disturbance and risk.

Doing the whole length of this leg is less suitable for slower and less experienced swimmers, as it could spread out the swimmers too much - unless you make sure you have another swimmer with you and / or start a little earlier. But it is of course also an option to start at Oundle and swim toward the others - as long as you make sure you are not swimming alone.

We need to stay on the right side of the river (we downstream, and the boats upstream). 
We also need to make sure that we stay together in one bunch, to minimise mutual disturbance, at least until we've had our "encounter".  The faster swimmers can swim ahead, and then wait or swim back to pick up the others.

We will look to start on time - leaving Oundle Mill at 6.15pm to be in the water at Lilford at 6.30pm. If you are late, please start from the Oundle end after the rowers have set off.

NOTE: Their will be 3-swims this Thursday. For those that want to go even longer, Graeme Abrahams and Laura Hardy will be swimming a different strench that is more suitable for an out-and-back longer swim. 

NOTE: 3 members will be swimming the shorter 1.4 mile stretch from Wadenhoe to Lilford that we swam last week. They will have kayak support. For this swim, meet at Lilford (see last weeks email) at 6:15pm for transportation to Wadenhoe for a 6:30pm start. This is ideal for those looking to complete a shorter section, with swimmers again staying together. All welcome, but this is not aimed at faster swimmers, unless you are able to retrace at frequent intervals. 

Please advise on the Forum if you are likely to be late, or intend to go straight to the finish.

See you on Thursday.

We had another good swim last Thursday, and managed to dodge the 4 rowing boats, 2 dinghy's and a barge that were out. Thanks again to those who offered transport, food and coffee.

This Thursday we are swimming from Oundle Mill to Ashton. The distance is 2.13 miles, the route is on http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/39924614.

We start at Oundle Mill lock where we got out last week, swim past the entrance of Oundle Marina, cross one lock, then cross the A605 after just under 1 mile. We then start the wide loop on the east side of the A605, through fields and along wooded hills. We will get out at an old jetty just before the next lock.

The jetty where we get out is at the bottom of a grass path that runs down from the road between Ashton and Polebrook, 100 yards or so and on the opposite side from the Olive Grove nursery (Olive Grove Nurseries, Oundle Road, Polebrook, Northants, PE8 5LQ, http://www.olivegrovenurseries.co.uk/), towards Ashton. There is a gate about 100 yards from the nursery entrance, towards Oundle. We park on the verge of the road. We have to climb over the gate, and then it's about 100 yards down the track. 

As always we will meet at the finish (near Ashton) for 6.15pm and then take a few cars to get to the start (Oundle/Barnwell Mill) for 6:30pm.

Their will be some swimmers who are starting at Ashton and swimming up to meet us, so that will be a good option for those that don't want to swim the whole distance.

Please confirm on the Forum if you expect to be late or will be going straight to the finish.

Looking forward to another good stretch of river and an enjoyable swim.

This Thursday's swim is from Ashton to Cotterstock. The distance is 2.23 miles, the route is on http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/41609712.

The route starts at the old jetty where we got out last week (see last week's email for directions). There is a lock to cross after just 100m or so. Then it's on toward the A605 bridge, past the Oundle boathouse, and then on through the open fields to Cotterstock Lock, where we get out.

Meet at Cotterstock for 6:15pm ready to be transported to Ashton for a 6:30pm start.

Access to Cotterstock lock is over the public footpath from Mill Lane in Cotterstock, which is about 100m. The path starts at the beginning of the village when coming from the A605. There are some (but not many) parking spaces around there on the verges near the old water mill - you may have to go further into the village.

Less confident swimmers could start from the Oundle boathouse - this is exactly halfway, so just over a mile to Cotterstock.

Last week we had 6 swimmers and a kayak on a gorgeously warm evening, so their's always room for more. The remaining destinations are on the Forum if anybody wants to look ahead.

Please advise on the Forum if you expect to be late, or are going direct to the start.

See you on Thursday.

In the latest issue of Outdoor Swimmer there is listed an event called "The River Nene Swim",that takes place on August 4th.
There are no contact details,so I wonder if anyone knows anything about it?
Phil.

The local open water swimmers are swimming 14km from Wadenhoe to Tansor on 3rd August.

With regards to 4th August, here are the details from the 2014 event https://pactrac.co.uk/forums/topic/578/

We didn't have too many out last week, but hopefully things will pick up as we get closer to Wansford / Peterborough.

This week's swim is 2.0 miles from Cotterstock to Bluebell lakes, see http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/42119500

Like previous years, Tony at Bluebell Lakes Fisheries is happy for us to park on their premises and get in and out of the river, both this and next week. Please make sure to respect their property and their clients.

The swim starts at Cotterstock Lock where we finished last week. The river goes around the edge of Tansor, then goes on to the Bluebell fishing lakes. We will swim around the lakes, cross Perio Lock, get back in (it's really not done to walk the last bit from there back to the cars...) and then get out at the other end of the fishing lakes, near the car park. There is a good access point across the bridge from the car park.

Please note that the Bluebell Fisheries close just after 8pm so we'll have to be away by then. Car access is over a narrow and bumpy road / track that starts from the road between Tansor and Fotheringhay. Coming from Peterborough on the A605, take a right at the roundabout near Warmington; go left at the T-junction toward Tansor, and then take the small road to the right after about 400m (it has Bluebell Lakes signs). Follow the road straight ahead, onto the gravel track, between two lakes, and on to the Reception where the car park is. The address is Bluebell Lakes, Tansor, Oundle, Peterborough PE8 5HP. Please respect the 10MPH speed limit. Any faster and the dust chokes the fishermen, who then complain to the owner.

As always, we meet at the finish at Bluebell Lakes, around 6.15pm and then take a few cars to drive to the start at Cotterstock. Please advise on the Forum if you expect to be late, or intend to go straight to the start.

See you on Thursday.

Think we’d be mad not too!

We had 10 swimmers last Thursday, on a fantastically hot evening for river swimming, through the remote countryside north of Oundle. This Thursday we are swimming from Bluebell Lakes to Warmington Lock. See http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/43629928. The distance is 1.97 miles according to Mapmyrun.

We start at the car park of Bluebell Lakes where we got out last week. Most of the route is through open fields, and we swim past Fotheringhay, with great views of the church and the castle site. We will swim under the Fotheringhay road bridge, and continue to the lock near Warmington, where we get out.

This is the only public access point downstream from Fotheringhay. This section has the longest walk from car park to entry / exit point: we will have to walk about 500 meters over a footpath through a field (usually with very confused looking sheep) to get to the car park. 

The car park is at the Fired Earth kitchens store at the Elton Boat Club at Warmington Mill. Go to the A605 roundabout near Warmington and follow the signs to Warmington Mill (exit toward Fotheringhay / Tansor) and then take an IMMEDIATE right just a few meters past the Roundabout, and you'll get to the car park. The address is Warmington Mill, Eaglethorpe, Warmington Peterborough PE8 6TJ.

As before we are meeting at the finish at Warmington Mill for 6.15pm, aiming to get to the start at Bluebell Lakes for 6.30pm. Please note that cars will need to be out of Bluebell Lakes around 8:00pm, so we will START ON TIME. Please advise on the Forum if you intend to go straight to the finish, or expect to be late.

See you on Thursday.

We had another great swim last Thursday, although again, numbers were down. Thanks as usual for the coffee and flapjack and to the drivers who transported the swimmers.

This Thursday is the 11th leg of the Nene Marathon Swim; so just two more swims after this one to get to Wansford, and four to Castor.

WE WILL BE GETTING OUT AT ELTON LOCK AGAIN, and not at Elton Bridge as before. We will make up the distance next week.

We are swimming from Warmington Lock, past Elton Park and down to Elton Lock. Mapmyrun tells us this is 1.6 miles (next weeks has now increased to 2.14 miles). See http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/fullscreen/1685602283/

Those who did the previous leg will know that the start is a 500 metre walk from the car park to the lock. This is a decent grassy track through a field. We will get in at the lock and swim alongside Elton Park and its woods and get out at Elton Lock, by Elton Mill. There is car parking space on the road between Elton Lock/Mill and The Crown Inn in Duck St, Elton, Peterborough PE8 6RQ.

The plan is to meet in Duck Street, Elton, near to the Mill for 6.15pm, take 2 or 3 cars to drive up to Warmington and start the walk to the lock at 6.30pm. If you can't make it you can always go straight to the start. And if you are even later, you could still join the fun by swimming upstream from Elton Lock and meet us en route.

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.

Please advise on the Forum if you expect to be late, or intend to go straight to the start.

See you on Thursday.

Steve.

This Thursday's swim is from ELTON LOCK to Nassington, see http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/1685607260. It's 2.14 miles according to Mapmyrun. which makes up for last weeks shorter leg.

We had 7 swimmers and a kayak out last week on another lovely evening with a very comfortable water temperature. Thanks once again for the transport, coffee and flapjacks.

This Thursday, we meet in Nassington for 6.15pm. Cars can be parked just outside the village when coming from Elton / Fotheringhay (before the Black Horse pub), near the Nene Way footpath sign that leads to and from the river. There is plenty of space on the grass verge by the road. We will then drive to ELTON LOCK, to be in the water at 6.30pm. Please note, as last week, that we are now using ELTON LOCK and NOT Elton Bridge where we have had problems getting out in the past.

The route passes Elton Bridge, where we used to get out, crosses a footbridge and then goes through open countryside until you see Nassington church in the distance. There is one weir on the right bank, with about half a mile to go. The finish is at the next footbridge. We can get out either just before the bridge, or on the left some 20 metres beyond the bridge. It's quite a long walk back to the road, so bring flipflops, as well as flapjacks.

Once again, please advise on the Forum if you expect to be late or intend to go straight to the start.

See you on Thursday.

As some of you may be aware,the metal bathing ladder "disappeared" from its river-bank location at Wadenhoe this week.
I donned my diving-gear and managed to find it in the river and replace it.
If any of you ever lose anything in the river that is likely to be find-able,then contact me,and I'll see if I can find it.
I come very cheap,just so long as I cover my quite modest expenses then I'm happy!

Firstly, good luck to Amy Mellor in her Channel Swim on Friday morning, starting in the early hours, unless the weather changes.

Amy has both a fundraising page and a tracker. Her just giving page is https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/amy-mellorswims whilst to track Amy's swim you need to go here http://cspf.co.uk/tracking and click on Anastasia.

This Thursday we will swim what used to be the last stage of the Nene swim marathon. This is from Nassington (the Nene Way footbridge) down to the old roadbridge in Wansford. Mapmyrun says 2.48 miles for this one, which makes it the longest of all the legs. http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/43630506. It is one of the most varied and interesting routes, crossing two locks and swimming along the Yarwell caravan park.

The plan is to meet at Wansford, by the Haycock Inn, and leave from there at 6.15pm, which should get us in the river around 6.30pm.

If you can't make this, or if you are not sure about the long distance, you could swim upstream from Wansford Bridge and meet the group; or join in at one of the locks. Please post on the Forum if you plan to do this, or expect to be late - https://pactrac.co.uk/forums/topic/800/#new-posts

We'll continue swimming in the Nene for a further 2 weeks: and head further downstream from Wansford to the Nene Valley Railway, and then from the NVR to Castor.

Firstly, congratulations to Amy Mellor on completing her Channel Swim. A great achievement. As far as I'm aware, Amy is the 5th PACTRACer to complete this gruelling task. Well done Amy. Amy's JustGiving Page is here https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/amy-mellorswims  

Secondly, Stefan is back at the pool from tomorrow evening, Wednesday 28th August , 7:30pm sharp with his technique sessions   https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2704246096260497&set=gm.10156523889322503&type=3&theater   Be there or be square.  

The 13th leg of our 30-mile Woodford to Castor Nene Swim, was completed last Thursday; with 12 of us, including a couple of kayaks, enjoying the 2.5 mile stretch to Wansford. 

This Thursday, we will be venturing beyond Wansford and seeing what the Nene looks like east of the A1. The water temperature is still high, so we are keen to enjoy it while we can; and with open-water races still happening, we will continue downstream for two more weeks.

We will swim from Wansford Bridge down past Stibbington, and get out opposite the NVR, on the Old Great North Road. This should be about 1.9 miles. See: http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/283488897

The plan is to meet up for 6:15pm near the Nene Valley Railway Station, post code PE8 6LR. Then drive to the start in Wansford to get into the water (opposite The Haycock), at 6:30pm sharp. 

Please advise on the Forum if you expect to be late, or intend to go direct to the start. We will need to start on-time again this week, as the night's are drawing in.

The final swim will then be from NVR to Castor, next week.

See you on Thursday.

We had 8 swimmers plus a 2-man kayak last Thursday. Thank you all for another great adventure, and for the transport, coffee and flapjacks.

This Thursday sees the 15th and final section of this year's 'Woodford to Castor' Nene Swim.

This Thursday's exploration of the Nene downstream from the A1, starts at the Nene Valley Railway where we left off last week. There is an exit point 1.9 miles downstream, not too far from Castor. The route passes Water Newton after about 1-mile, so their is also an option for a shorter swim. The route is on: http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/285173273

The plan is to meet at the finish for 6:15pm. There is a Nene Trust car park at the end of Splash Lane in Castor; it's at the end of the bumpy (but drivable) track that starts where Splash Lane turns right. Splash Lane is the one-but-last driveable road on the right in Castor, as you head out towards Peterborough; it's got a signpost to the Woodlands Sports Centre.

The car park is about 5-6 minutes walk on the footpath through the field, from an idyllic spot on the river where we can get out. We will take some cars to the Nene Valley Railway Station for a 6:30pm start. We will need to be on time again, as the night's are drawing in and it's a much longer drive than 1.9m.

If you intend to go straight to the start, or expect to be late, please leave a message on the Forum.