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Training advice & event day tips for one of the most iconic long lake swims in the UK.
This guide gives you an honest view of what Chillswim Coniston is really like, who it suits best, & how to prepare so you can enjoy every mile of this end-to-end swim.
By Rebecca Wetten, Co-Founder & Head Coach at Catch
Chillswim Coniston is one of those swims people talk about for years afterwards. At 8.4km, it’s a proper long-distance lake swim - long enough to feel like a real achievement, but very doable with the right preparation. It’s scenic, social & epic, with a course that rewards good preparation & calm pacing.
Coniston has the biggest number of swimmers & is most sociable of the Chillswim events. Around a thousand swimmers take to the water each year, creating a lovely mix of nervous excitement & shared purpose.
The swim crosses Coniston Water, with the Old Man of Coniston watching over you for much of the route. It feels wild, but never lonely. There are swimmers around you, kayakers nearby, & feed boats spaced along the course - enough structure to feel supported, without losing that open water magic.
Coniston is a brilliant first long lake swim for many people. That said, it’s still a serious distance, & it deserves proper preparation.
Train your mind
At this distance, your head matters just as much as your fitness. Long, steady swims give your brain plenty of time to get chatty.
Before race day, spend a bit of time thinking about:
- Why this swim matters to you
- What you’re genuinely excited about
- What you think might feel hard
Writing those things down can really help. If doubts show up mid-swim, you’ll recognise them rather than getting dragged along by them. A simple mantra can help too - something like “smooth & steady” or “I’ve got this”.
Focus on technique
Over 8.4km, efficiency is everything. Small technique tweaks can save a surprising amount of energy.
Key areas to focus on:
- Head & body position - head still, hips & legs high
- Breathing - regular, calm breathing with bubbles out in the water
- Catch - using your hand & forearm together to get power through your pull
On Catch, these are broken down into weekly focuses so you’re not trying to fix everything at once.
Build consistency & endurance
You don’t need huge training weeks, but you do need consistency over time. Aim for 2-4 swims a week, depending on your background, & build gradually.
A good balance looks like:
- Technique swims - slower, focussed sessions
- Endurance swims - easy swims building comfort with swimming longer distances
- Pace variation - short sections a bit quicker to build confidence
Every 4–5 weeks, ease off by reducing your volume by about a third. These lighter weeks help you stay fresh & absorb the work you’ve done.
Practise in open water
Coniston is a lake swim, not a pool swim. Time spent outdoors beforehand makes a huge difference.
Practise:
- Sighting so you can swim straight
- Swimming without walls or lane ropes
- Staying relaxed if conditions feel little choppy
- Feeding while stopped or treading water
Even a handful of open water swims before race day will help you feel far calmer on the start line.
Give yourself a few ways to succeed:
- Bronze - finish!
- Silver - a strong swim you feel proud of
- Gold - a stretch goal that excites you
Conditions change year to year, so stay flexible. Focus on how your swim feels, not just the clock.
Feed stations
Feed stations sit roughly every mile on anchored boats, staffed by friendly, experienced volunteers. At every feed station you'll be offered jelly babies, energy drinks & water.
Tow float snacks
Tow floats are mandatory, so use it to stash snacks.
Hydration
You’re unlikely to dehydrate badly in cool lake water, but starting hydrated definitely helps. Sip fluids the night before & again a few hours before your start.
Fuelling
Energy tends to be the limiter in long swims. Plan to fuel often - roughly once an hour, if not more.
Good options include:
- Soft, non-chewy sweets - easy to eat while treading water
- Gels tucked into your wetsuit or tow float
- Carb drinks if that suits you
Whatever you choose, practise it in training first.
Goggles
Clear lenses tend to be best for visibility, but mirrored is ideal for glaring sunshine. Anti-fog them before you start & make sure they’re secure - wearing your hat over the straps can help.
Wetsuit or skins
Most swimmers choose a wetsuit for warmth & buoyancy. Make sure it’s comfortable over long distances. If swimming skins, be confident in cooler water & practise beforehand.
Extras
A bright tow float is mandatory & handy for carrying nutrition. Neoprene hats or gloves can add warmth, but they also add drag - it’s about finding the balance that works for you.
Those easier days in training are what help you arrive feeling fresh rather than tired.
About 7-10 days before race day, reduce your training volume by around half. Keep a few short, easy swims to stay loose, but avoid squeezing in extra distance at the last minute.
The day before:
- Register the evening before if you can - arrive an hour or so after registration opens to skip the queues
- Eat familiar food
- Hydrate well
- Get a decent night’s sleep
On the day:
- Start slower than you think you should
- Settle into your wave early on
- Fuel early & regularly
- Look up & enjoy the scenery - it genuinely helps
If you hit a tough patch, slow down, float, fuel & reset. You’re never far from support.
After the swim:
First of all, celebrate - you’ve just swum 8.4km across one of the most beautiful lakes in the UK. That’s huge!
- Get into dry, warm layers quickly
- Eat something carb-heavy within 30 minutes
- Take a few easy days
- Reflect on what worked & what you’d tweak
Many swimmers leave Coniston so pumped about the experience that they're already signing about their next long swim in the days after.
Catch builds fully personalised training plans & technique courses to help you prepare calmly & confidently for Chillswim.
With Catch Gold, you’ll get a plan that adapts to your schedule, paired with weekly video lessons & coach support - so you arrive ready to enjoy the swim, not just survive it.
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