Safety and Club Rules
Please read carefully to enjoy and protect yourselves with correct knowledge and up to date information.
Member declaration
Declaration: I accept that there are hazards to swimming in the river and that there is a risk to health, injury or loss of life. I accept that there are NO lifeguards and that members are responsible for their own and other members’ safety. I agree to abide by the Club rules and to obey instructions given to me by officials of the Club. I agree not to do anything which may have the potential to cause harm to others. I accept responsibility for these conditions on behalf of myself and those who accompany me. All those entering under Family Membership are considered to be Club Members.
The Club will not share this data with a third party and a full privacy statement is available on the website farleighswimming.co.uk, which outlines our commitment to GDPR.
CLUB RULES
You, your family or group, and property are entirely at your own risk.
The Club accepts no liability.
There are NO LIFEGUARDS in attendance.
No accompanied children under 16. Children must be supervised by a responsible adult at all times.
Decency of language and behaviour must be observed.
No dogs, paddle-boards, paddled craft, camping, BBQs, fires or fishing.
Litter to be taken home or placed in the bin*.
Persons causing a nuisance may have their membership suspended.
* Although we provide bins, we would be extremely grateful if people could take as much rubbish home with them as possible.
SAFETY INFORMATION
The river is about 8ft/2.4m deep, but you can walk in from above the (slippery) weir.
DO NOT DRINK THE WATER. Generally we find that the water quality is low after heavy rainfall, and children swimming during these periods may develop tummy infections. We believe that this is because they tend to swallow water when swimming or playing in the river. Therefore we advise against swimming during these periods, especially children. Please see wessexwater.co.uk for water quality reports.
Do not swim if the river is in spate (brown water).
Proper swimming attire must be worn at all times.
There are two ladders.
There are NO LIFEGUARDS. You should always swim with company and be able to provide safety cover for your group.
DOGS ARE NOT ALLOWED for hygiene reasons, just as they are banned from playing fields and most popular beaches in summer.
Please tidy up and take any litter home.
Parents: please keep a constant watch on your children. The water is NOT clear.
In places it is deep and you can drown. In other places it is shallow.
If you wish to jump in, it is safest first to enter by the steps at the weird, or to go down either of the steps on the bank, to check the river for depth and for underwater obstructions (which may have come downstream since your last visit). Then check that the river below you is clear of swimmers to avoid injury to them.
Diving is more dangerous, as you readily risk breaking your neck*, so please NO DIVING.
Do NOT jump off trees.
The weir is slippery!
Don’t go in the river below the weir as there are rocks and debris there.
Never swim on your own or after taking alcohol ** or drugs.
Do not enter the water if you have an open wound (main risk: Weil’s disease).
The river is cold. Always acclimatise yourself to the river temperature*** in the shallow water by the weir.
You must be a good swimmer and in good health, so do not swim if you are feeling ill or you have any health conditions which could endanger you whilst in the water.
Do not swim when the river is in flood.
Beware of getting entangled in any river weeds.
Swimming is only allowed above the weir as far as the Club field extends. Landing on the opposite bank or the island is not allowed.
* This happened on the River Wylye at Heytesbury
** Several years ago, a man died here doing just that.
*** Near downing here 1999.