If you’re anything like me, large crowds and packed-out swim waves can make you nervous. You want to get involved, but the idea of jostling for space in the water, especially alongside stronger swimmers, can feel daunting.
You might want to throw yourself straight into something like the Great North Swim (and good on you if you do!). But if you’d rather ease in gently, there are some great smaller events that offer the same buzz without the overwhelm. Enter: Wild Deer Events.
I recently signed up for their Derwent Reservoir swim. The venue had been on my To Vist list for a while so I was excited to visit. Here’s how it went.
Choosing your event swim length
Choosing the right distance for you, your skill, and your level of challenge is important. A mile for me is a challenge. 2024 at the Great North Swim was the last time I swam a mile, and it was hard. So I chose the half mile as I knew I would be coming off a hard, long week at work, so my battery would be low. So even though I knew I wouldn’t be fast, I knew I could comfortably do the half mile with the non-existent training my busy schedule had allowed me to do.
Celebrate your swim distance
At the Great North Swim, where we had a stall, I noticed that when people told me what length they were doing, they would go coy and say “Oh, I’m just doing this… I’m just doing that…” as if they knew they should be doing a longer distance. If you do this, I would like to request that you nip this in the bud right now. There is no ‘just’ about it. You have chosen that length for a reason. Celebrate it! Your journey into open water swimming is at a different stage from everyone else. Someone who might be doing a mile at an event may have been where you are not so long ago, where they were challenging themselves to 400m. So I say again… celebrate the length that you choose to do!
Event Swimming Kit
The weather leading up to the event had been SCORCHIO! This led the event team to say that people were allowed to swim in their swimming costumes if they wanted to. Because I knew I would be nearly an hour in the water, I chose to swim in my shortie wetsuit. Despite the 15-degree water, I knew that with the length of time I was going to be in the water, I probably was going to get cold. I personally find shortie wetsuits more comfortable than a full-on wetsuit. And lastly, because the UV levels were high, even though it was overcast, I opted to put a rash vest on as well, as I know I can burn. Always consider the conditions on the day to determine which kit will serve you best. This knowledge gets better with experience, so if in doubt, ask event organisers or fellow swimmers.
A Word on the Water Levels
Before the swim, I took a good look at the waterline. You could see from the high tide markers that Derwent Reservoir was sitting noticeably low. It made me pause. The UK hasn’t built a new reservoir since 1992, and when you see how much water isn’t there, it really makes you stop and think. Not just about water supply, but about the changing nature of the places we swim. It also made me want more swim-friendly reservoirs on the map, safe, beautiful spaces where people can connect with open water.
Later, I found out my Grandad helped engineer Derwent Reservoir in the 1960s when he worked for South Shields and Sunderland Water Company (now Northumbrian Water). I never met him, but that added a lovely, unexpected sense of connection to the day. Cheers, Grandad.
Getting There
- What3Words: ///unsigned.highways.laptops
- Marshals directed me to the overflow car park. Loads of space, stress-free.
- Normal parking rates: £1.50 for 2 hrs, £5 all day.
- Toilets and a seasonal café near the car park (coins only).
- The walk to the start was uphill, about half a mile. Not brutal, but an effective warm-up!
Event Pack & Swim
Your entry gets you a swim cap and a timing chip for your ankle. The event had portaloos on site, but changing was done in the public. Thankfully, I had my Changing Tube ready to go, so modesty was never at risk. The portaloos were still a welcome addition as it meant you didn’t have to do a half-mile walk back to the car park for access to toilets.
The bag drop was right next to registration, watched over by the very friendly crew. There was also a decent spectator area, where ducks loitered hopefully like feathery pickpockets.
The water was watched closely by safety crews, and swimmers looked out for each other. Lots of “You alright?” being called across the waves. That’s the kind of community I love.
Post-Swim Vibes
I stuck to my trusty head-up breaststroke and finished 26th out of 28. 47 minutes 43 seconds. Happy with that! I was there for the swim, not the podium. Once out of the water, you get:
- A wooden medal
- Choice of a Wild Deer buff or water bottle (I went for the bottle)
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A snack and drink
Was It Worth It?
£28 for a half-mile swim is fair; it was a well-run event. Great safety coverage, relaxed vibe, and a real mix of swimmers. I think what I liked most about it was that relaxed vibe. It's a perfect event for someone to start their event experience if a larger event presents a daunting prospect.
A Cheaper Alternative?
If you just want to try out the reservoir, Derwent Reservoir Sailing Club offers kayak-supported swims:
- What3Words: ///loitering.gloom.earrings
- Wednesdays 2 – 4 pm and weekends 9 – 10 am
- £10 with pre-booking
- Marked 200m and 420m courses
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Hats and tow floats are required unless in a wetsuit
Wild Deer Events may not be as well-known as the big-name swims, but they’re friendly, well-organised, and quietly confidence-boosting. If you’re looking for something low-pressure but full of heart, they’re worth a look.
And if you're anything like me, they'll remind you that swimming events don't have to be intimidating. They can be joyful, gentle, and even a little nostalgic.
Would I do another? Absolutely.
