Terms and Conditions

Health and Safety Guidelines
Assumption of risk:

All SwimW.Ell activities take place in outdoor, natural environments and therefore involve inherent and unavoidable risks. While every reasonable measure has been taken by SwimW.Ell to promote safe practice and minimise hazards, it is not possible to eliminate all risk associated with open‑water swimming related outdoor activities.

By choosing to participate, individuals acknowledge and voluntarily accept full responsibility for these risks, including those arising from environmental conditions, personal health factors, and the actions of other participants. Participants also agree to follow all guidance, safety instructions, and recommendations provided by SwimW.Ell at all times, and understand that failure to do so may increase the likelihood of injury or harm.

Participation in any SwimW.Ell session confirms that the participant has considered these risks, is satisfied with the safety measures in place, and accepts personal responsibility for their own decision to take part.

Medical: 

Participants are responsible for:

• Disclosing any relevant medical conditions (past or present)

• Notifying the instructor of recent illness or injury

• Bringing personal medication (e.g., inhalers, EpiPens)

• Alerting instructors immediately if feeling unwell

We may advise against participation if we believe a condition could compromise safety.

Eligibility

All swimmers taking part in SwimW.Ell sessions must be able to swim 400 metres confidently and unaided in open water or pool settings. This is the minimum safety requirement across all activities.

Participants must also be 18 years or older, unless attending a session that is specifically advertised and designed for under‑18s.

Participants are expected to take responsibility for their own safety and conduct throughout all SwimW.Ell activities. This includes arriving properly prepared with suitable clothing and equipment for the conditions, being honest about their experience and confidence levels, and communicating openly with SwimW.Ell about any concerns during a session. All participants must follow the instructions, safety guidance, and decisions made by SwimW.Ell at all times to ensure a safe and respectful environment for themselves and others.

Session Specific
Introduction to Open Water, Winter Swimming and 1-2-1 sessions: 

To reserve your place, please book in advance via our website. Spaces are limited and tend to fill quickly, so early booking is strongly encouraged.

If you need to cancel, please contact us at least 48 hours before your session to receive a full refund or credit. Cancellations made with less than 48 hours’ notice are considered late cancellations and are non‑refundable.

SwimW.Ell is not obliged to refund, replace, or reschedule any missed sessions.

All sessions are subject to weather and environmental conditions, and SwimW.Ell may amend, relocate, shorten, or cancel a session at any time if conditions are deemed unsafe.

Community Swims:

SwimW.Ell Community Swims are relaxed, social sessions created to bring people together and enjoy shared time in the water. These swims are not coached or instructed. Instead, they offer a safe, friendly space for experienced open water and winter swimmers to connect, support each other, and enjoy the outdoors as a group.

Community Swims operate on a donation‑only basis, but everyone must book in advance via our website so we can safely manage numbers and ensure all participants meet the required experience level.

To join a Community Swim, you must already:

• Be a confident winter swimmer

• Understand the risks associated with cold‑water swimming and open‑water environments

• Have regular experience swimming in wild and/or open water

• Be able to confidently swim 400m in open water without assistance

These swims are intended for experienced open‑water swimmers only.
For safety reasons, they are not suitable for beginners, first‑timers, or anyone without recent cold‑water experience.

These sessions are free and community‑led.

All sessions are subject to weather and environmental conditions, and SwimW.Ell may amend, relocate, shorten, or cancel a session at any time if conditions are deemed unsafe.

Retreats
Day retreats:

Pre‑registration is required to secure your place on a Day Retreat due to limited group size. Please book online through our website or contact us directly to reserve your spot. Because of the small group size and the bespoke nature of each Day Retreat, all bookings are non‑refundable.
SwimW.Ell is not obliged to refund, replace, or transfer missed Day Retreats.

Multi day retreats:

Pre‑registration and a non‑refundable deposit are required to secure your space on a Multi‑Day Retreat. Spaces are limited, so early booking is strongly encouraged. All deposits are non‑refundable. If a cancellation is made within two months of the retreat date, no refund is available for any portion of the retreat.

Full payment is due four months prior to the retreat start date. If full payment is not received by this time, your place may be released and the deposit retained.

SwimW.Ell is not responsible for costs associated with travel, accommodation, or any arrangements made outside the retreat booking itself.

All sessions are subject to weather and environmental conditions, and SwimW.Ell may amend, relocate, shorten, or cancel a session at any time if conditions are deemed unsafe.

Travel and Personal Property

Participants are responsible for arranging their own travel to and from all SwimW.Ell sessions and retreats. SwimW.Ell is not liable for any delays, disruptions, or costs associated with travel or transport.

Personal belongings brought to sessions or retreats are the responsibility of the participant. SwimW.Ell does not accept liability for loss, theft, or damage to clothing, equipment, phones, or any other personal items brought to the water or venues.

Photography and Media 

From time to time, photos or short video clips may be taken during SwimW.Ell sessions and retreats for use on our website, social media channels, and general promotional materials. These images are used to celebrate our community, showcase what we do, and share the beauty of swimming outdoors.

If you do not wish to appear in any photos or media, please let us know before your session begins and we will ensure your preference is respected. We are committed to using all media respectfully, safely, and in line with privacy considerations.