This page provides all the information you will need to be aware of before taking part in any Henley Swim events, so please read through the following sections carefully in order to ensure you are fully aware of our guidelines for swim safety and other event related matters.
Any event related guidelines relevant to a specific event will be emailed to you before the event.
Safety
Here at Henley Swim we take the safety of our events very seriously. Canoes will be on hand to provide safety cover. If you get into difficulty, turn on your back and raise one arm; a canoe will then escort you to the bank. If you appear to be struggling in the swim, or if you have been in the water for a long time, you may be pulled out, at the discretion of the safety crews.
Getting in
We can’t really stop people diving in the river before the start – but there are no prizes for style, and there could be hidden dangers. We suggest you ease yourself into the water, or jump if you really must. Clearly diving is dangerous and you should not do it.
Safety at the start
There is much debate over the best way to start a swim like this, but one thing is clear; you need to spread out as much as possible to avoid the inevitable scrum. People are predictably fired up at the start and this sometimes translates into what seems like aggressive behaviour. Unless you are intent on being a front-runner, there is a very real advantage in hanging back. One lung full of Thames water (or any water!) is likely to ruin your swim and is potentially dangerous if you start to struggle as a result. So we suggest that you hang back and enjoy a clear run.
We will try to make the start line as clear as possible so that you don’t suddenly find yourself at the front of the wave when you actually wanted to be at the back - details to follow – but if in doubt, wait towards the rear.
All entrants into the Henley Swim need to be aware of the large quantity of river traffic between Henley Bridge and Hambledon lock, particularly in the days leading up to the morning of the swim.
If you have any known medical condition, such as diabetes, asthma, allergy to penicillin, please inform us prior to the race by letter. Whether you have a medical condition or not, if you feel unwell on race day – don’t race!
All competitors please note: United Kingdom inland waters are not completely safe for swimming, although risks of disease are low and risks of serious infection are minute. A swimmer may be susceptible to infection through immune suppression, particularly if he or she is not in good health at the time of swimming. Be careful entering any open water swim if you are unwell.
Statements concerning the suitability of water for swimming should be interpreted cautiously. The river will be cold and triathlon wetsuits will be compulsory if the temperature is below 14′C. You are advised not to drink the river water!
Weil’s Disease or Leptospirosis
This is an infectious condition that can cause a range of different symptoms such as mild flu-like symptoms or, in severe cases, result in multiple organ failure and internal bleeding. Following these serious symptoms, leptospirosis can sometimes result in death.
Leptospirosis is a zoonotic condition, which means that it can be spread from animals to humans. Animals such as rats, pigs and dogs can become infected by bacteria called leptospires. They can then contaminate a water source by urinating into it. If a human then comes into close contact with the infected water, such as through the eyes mouth, nose or any cuts in their skin, they can become infected with leptospirosis.
How common is leptospirosis?
Leptospirosis is a global condition that is found across the world. Rates of leptospirosis are highest in tropical and sub-tropical locations, particularly in rural areas. However, the condition is becoming increasingly widespread in urban areas that have poor sanitation.
It is estimated that globally 10 million people will catch leptospirosis every year. It is hard to estimate how many people die from leptospirosis because many cases occur in parts of the developing world where causes of death are not routinely reported. However, some experts have estimated that the fatality rate from leptospirosis could range from five to 25%. Deaths from leptospirosis are higher in countries where access to good quality healthcare is limited. In England and Wales, leptospirosis is very rare, with an average of 40 cases being reported each year. Since 1996, there have been three deaths from leptospirosis.
Prognosis
The symptoms of leptospirosis can vary widely from person to person. Some people with the condition can have no symptoms at all, although most will experience symptoms that are similar to influenza (flu). An estimated 5 to 10% of people will experience the most serious form of leptospirosis, which is also known as Weil’s disease. Weil’s disease can cause:-
- Kidney failure
- Jaundice
- Shock
- Internal bleeding, and
- Inflammation of the heart.
Leptospirosis can be treated using antibiotics. Hospital admission is usually required for the most serious form of leptospirosis because the body’s functions will need to be supported until the infection has passed.
For more information follow this link, but in particular, have a look at the prevention tab http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Leptospirosis/Pages/Introduction.aspx
From the moment we begin to organise an event, we start to incur costs. Your entry fee is invested into the cost of staging the event – everything from pontoons to toilets, from printing to timing chips, from race hats to marketing. Organising any event requires a considerable amount of planning, risk and expense.
The Henley Swim Withdrawal Policy reflects this and is as follows:-
Credits will be issued after the event as detailed below.
Notification dated 8 weeks (61 days) or more before the event = 50% credit
Notification dated 4 weeks to 8 weeks (30 to 60 days) before event = 20% credit
Notification dated less than 4 weeks (29 days) before event = no credit
Race entries are NOT transferable to any other person or any other event. Any change to the data held on the computer system requires considerable time and cost in administration. You will be required to notify Henley Swim in writing by email or by post.
Date of withdrawal is defined by the date of email or as postmarked on the envelope. Telephone messages are not acceptable.
Send your email to: entries@henleyswim.com. Please give your full name and the event you are withdrawing from. Or by post to:
‘Withdrawal (name of event)’,
The Henley Swim
c/o Thameside Wealth
PO Box 50
Chinnor
OX39 4UZ.
This policy applies to all events organised by The Henley Swim.
The race organisers reserve the right to alter the direction of the swim, shorten the distance, change the start time or cancel the event at any time.
Race mementos given to competitors on the day of the race cannot be made available to anyone who fails to turn up or who has withdrawn from the event.
Wetsuits are optional for all swimmers subject to the water temperature being 15°C or above.
Details of this will be available here shortly.
Merchandise orders are governed by the Distance Selling Regulations which allow every customer the right to cancel their merchandise order within 7 working days of placing the order. This cancellation right does not extend to race entries.