Winter Open Water (W.O.W.) Training Location and Times
The SwimRVA Hammerheads Winter Open Water Training Program takes place at the Collegiate School Aquatics Center located at 5050 Ridgedale Parkway, Richmond, VA 23234. Every practice we set up a different buoyed course in our all-deep 50 meter pool simulating an open water experience in the comfort and safety of a pool setting.
Workouts are held on Sundays from 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM.
W.O.W. Training and Learning For All Levels
This program progresses over the course of 12 weeks where we work on open water skills, endurance and technique. You will learn how to swim with a pack, swim around buoys, swim if your goggles get kicked off, directional swimming in open water and more. Due to the open water setting we can adjust the workout for nearly any level swimmer.
No Drop-Ins Available
Due to space limitations you must be either a member of the SwimRVA Hammerheads Masters Program or register for the Winter Open Water Program in order to attend these workouts.
Open Water Location
The Spring/Summer Open Water training will take place at lake Salisbury. It is located at the end of Chalkwell Drive in Midlothian, VA 23113.
Spring/Summer Open Water Skills and Endurance Training
Workouts are on a marked course and involve a combination of open water skills, intervals and endurance training from one of our coaches. Due to space limitations these workouts are available only to program members and those paying a $15 drop-in fee (paid on site).
Important Information About Lake Salisbury
Our use of Lake Salisbury is an extreme priviledge. This is a beautiful, private lake in the Salisbury subdivision. Speeding in the neighborhood and/or excessive noise (i.i loud music from vehicle) will quickly put an end to our welcome. Failure to abide by these rules puts our entire program at risk and thus will be grounds for termination of your membership.
CSS Calculator
Please fill out our form to get your Critical Swim Speed (CSS) and estimate your ideal swim speed training levels.
A Critical Swim Speed test is a simple way to measure your swim fitness. It estimates the pace per 100 that you would keep during a 1500 meter or yard time trial. To test your CSS pace, you should swim a 400 and 200 yard time trial within the same session, with a five-minute active recovery between, and time yourself for both. Click the link to record your times.
River Conditions
Richmond was named ‘Best River Town in America’ by Outside Magazine. We are honored to be able to use the James River Park System to do our open water training. Click this link to stay up to date with the most current river conditions.
SwimRVA Events
Check out our list of upcoming events by clicking the link here.