The Swimming Trust still has guaranteed places available for this year’s iconic Great North Swim.

The swim, which takes place over a 1 mile course in the beautiful Lake Windermere in Cumbria over the weekend of 18 & 19 June 2011, is open to anyone over 16 years of age on the day of the event.

Each Swimming Trust place costs £37.00 and you will need to agree to raise at least £150 for the charity.

A new open water swimming site in South Bucks between Maidenhead and Slough has opened in April. The 30 Acre lake is approx 450 meters long with measured courses. It is not very deep and so warms up quickly! There are changing facilities, showers, hot drinks /food and free Wi-fi access. It is open 6.30am to 10.00 weekdays and 6.30am to 9.00 weekends. Call 07905 362958 or visit www.tbns.co.uk/openwaterswim.html for details.

DEFRA is seeking views on proposals to update the Government’s strategy for the inland waterways of England and Wales.

This is an opportunity to make sport and recreation a delivery priority for inland waterways in England and Wales. DEFRA is looking for examples of the benefits that these activities can deliver, what needs to be done to encourage all those who benefit from the waterways to contribute to their upkeep and how we can work together to secure a sustainable future for the waterways.

A growing number of people have started to take up a new sport which combines hiking and swimming.

‘Swim-hiking’ is a combination of hiking through the countryside and crossing rivers or lakes by swimming with a waterproof backpack.