The Green House Hotel is limbering up for another record-breaking Bournemouth Open Swim

It’s back! The biggest charity swim in Europe heads back to Bournemouth this Sunday 10th July. Thousands of amateur open swimmers will brave the English Channel – some in wetsuits, some not – in this incredible 1.4 mile open water challenge.

The Green House Hotel, Bournemouth’s most eco-friendly luxury boutique hotel, is just one block away from the seafront, making it the perfect base from which to drink in the action, which sees the swimmers head from Bournemouth Pier along the coastline to Boscombe Pier.

Here at the Green House Hotel, we have watched as the Bournemouth Pier to Pier has attracted increasing numbers of swimmers every year. It’s no surprise, because what began as a niche hobby is now one of the fastest-growing sports in the country. More and more people – most from their late 30s but many into their 80s –are migrating from over-chlorinated swimming pools into thrilling open water, be it lakes, rivers or oceans.

Thousands are signing up for the more than 170 mass events that take place each year in Britain’s lakes, rivers and seas, of which the Bournemouth Pier to Pier is one of the biggest.

This quote from the Guardian sums up the appeal of events like the Bournemouth Pier to Pier: “I am 45, I am carrying a few extra pounds, and I love the fact I can turn up and take part with a whole lot of people who are having fun. There is a great vibe, it’s like a festival in the water.”

Many visitors to the Bournemouth Pier to Pier combine the event with a visit to the Green House Hotel – whether for lunch, dinner or afternoon tea – situated only moments away from the seafront in a leafy, secluded oasis.

The Green House Hotel’s restaurant, Arbor, is one of the newest 2 AA Rosette Restaurants in Bournemouth. Our menus change seasonally to ensure we offer the very best of what is local and sustainable.

Arbor is open all day for relaxed dining in peaceful surroundings, serving pastries and snacks from 10 am to 10 pm. Our gorgeous Afternoon Tea, made fresh to order, is available from 2.00 to 4.30pm and leisurely lunches are served from 12:30 pm to 2 pm.

Registration has now closed for this year’s Pier to Pier but it still makes a fantastic spectator sport – who knows, it may inspire you to take part yourself in next year’s event, which will no doubt be even bigger.

So just in case, here are some tips, courtesy of www.swimming.org, for improving your open water techniques (once you have your front crawl up to speed):

• Sighting: to compensate for the lack of lane ropes, try swimming in a line using a distant marker for orientation;

• Deep water starts: with nothing to kick off from, you need to get used to starting from treading water;

• Turning: open water swims rarely follow a straight line from start to finish;

• Breathing: an efficient and comfortable front crawl breathing technique is essential for open water swimming which is extra tiring – and
that includes being able to breathe on alternate sides;

• Group swimming: open water swims are busy affairs – the Bournemouth pier to pier is no exception! – so get used to swimming with friends.

To book a table for lunch, dinner or afternoon tea at the Arbor at the Green House Hotel, call 01202 498900 or go online here