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Catch - your digital swim coach - is the Official Training Partner for Great North Swim. Here’s your guide to training, kit, fuelling & race day.
By Rebecca Wetten, Co-Founder & Head Coach at Catch
The 250m is pure fun - a brilliant introduction to open water swimming & the perfect way to experience the buzz of the Great North Swim. Whether it’s your first outdoor event or a confidence-building dip before tackling longer distances, this one’s all about enjoyment.
Set on the stunning Lake Windermere, the Great North Swim is the UK’s biggest open water event - a full weekend celebrating swimming, nature & community. Thousands of swimmers take part across six distances, from 250m to 10k, cheered on by friends, family & an amazing crowd.
The 250m is short, sociable & super friendly. The atmosphere is electric, the course is fully supported by expert safety crews, & the finish-line feeling is unbeatable.
We’ll be there too - come find us at the Catch stand for tips, chats & high fives.
If you can swim 25m in the pool, you’re ready to start preparing. The goal here isn’t speed - it’s comfort & confidence. Start by swimming regularly, even if it’s just 15 minutes at a time, & focus on feeling relaxed in the water.
Smooth, efficient technique will help you feel calm & in control. Focus on:
- Head & body position: head low, body flat, hips high.
- Breathing: breathe often & calmly, breathing out bubbles when your face is in the water.
Catch’s weekly video lessons break these skills - & lots more - into simple steps to help you build smoother, more confident front crawl.
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Getting in open water at least once before the event will make a huge difference. It doesn’t need to be far - just get used to the temperature, sighting & the feeling of swimming outdoors.
Practise:
- Sighting: look ahead every now & again to see where you’re going.
- Breathing rhythm: stay calm if there’s a bit of chop.
- Confidence: float, tread water & enjoy it.
Even a single open water swim before race day helps turn nerves into excitement.
Give yourself many ways to win, & keep it simple, such as:
- Bronze: finish smiling.
- Silver: swim the whole way without stopping.
- Gold: feel strong & confident throughout.
This event’s about experience & fun - no need for pressure.
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You don’t need mid-swim fuelling for 250m, but feeling fuelled & hydrated before the start will help you enjoy it.
Sip water or an electrolyte drink the night before & again a few hours before your swim.
Have a light, familiar breakfast like toast, porridge or fruit. Avoid anything new or heavy.
Make sure they are comfortable, & new-ish - it’ll help you see where you’re going. Anti-fog before you start - baby shampoo or saliva works well.
Wetsuits are optional above 15°C, & they give warmth & buoyancy. If you prefer to swim skins (no wetsuit), you’ll need a tow float. For wetsuit tips, read Catch’s wetsuit guide.
A neoprene cap or vest adds warmth if you feel the cold. Headphones are banned on race day, so try a few quiet swims in training.
In the final week, keep things easy. Swim gently, rest well & get used to how your kit feels. Arrive on race day feeling rested, calm & ready.
- Pack your kit early
- Sip electrolytes
- Eat familiar food
- Check the course map
- Stay relaxed
- Warm up in the water & take a few deep breaths
- Don’t sprint the first 50m
- Sight every few strokes
- Enjoy the experience
If you start to panic during your swim, calm your breathing, float for a moment, then start again slowly. You’ll settle in quickly.
You did it - 250m in open water!
- Warm up: dry clothes, warm layers, hot drink.
- Refuel: grab a snack within 30 minutes to replenish your energy.
- Celebrate: you’ve joined the open water crew.
- Plan your next goal: maybe the 500m or 1-mile next year?
As the Official Training Partner, Catch has personalised plans & technique courses built for the Great North Swim.
With Catch Gold, you’ll get a tailored 250m plan, weekly video lessons & coaching support to help you build confidence & enjoy your swim.
Use code GNS26 for £5 off your first 3 months on Catch Gold.
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The Dock2Dock swim offers a unique opportunity to experience open water swimming in the heart of London’s Royal Docks. With towering historical cranes lining the water and the iconic skyline of Canary Wharf and the O2 Arena in the background, this event combines the thrill of urban swimming with the challenge of long-distance racing.
Find out more
The 200m Henley Splash is an open water swim event suitable for participants aged 8 and above, taking place entirely within the event village at Temple Island Meadows during the Henley Swim Festival. This short-distance swim offers a family-friendly introduction to open water swimming in the River Thames.
Find out more
Dive into the heart of London's Hyde Park and experience the thrill of open-water swimming in the iconic Serpentine lake! Swim Serpentine offers a fantastic half-mile race on Saturday, September 20th. Imagine yourself gliding through the clear water, surrounded by the beautiful scenery, and feeling the exhilaration of the challenge
Find out more
With Catch Free, you’ll get access to the online swim community with session ideas, mini courses, a swim content hub & local swim squad.
Get Catch Free