The Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK), the Drowning Prevention Charity’s, Open Water Festival is set to return to Ragley Hall, Warwickshire, on Sunday 22 May. The Ragley Crawl will see participants swapping the swimming pool to take the plunge into open water at Ragley Hall’s lake for a day of light-hearted competition.  The day will be bursting with fun family activities, stalls and refreshments all in aid of drowning prevention and anyone from first time open water dippers to regular competitors are welcome to take part.

Former Great Britain world champion swimmer James Hickman is also set to make an appearance and take part.

RLSS UK’s Technical Director, Adrian Lole said: “Open water swimming is the UK’s fastest growing sport and, as the leaders in water safety and lifesaving education, we want to continue to provide safe open water swimming.

“Around 400 people needlessly die from drowning in the UK every year and we want to ensure everyone of all ages can enjoy water safely. This is why we want to offer a fun open water swimming event that everyone can enjoy in a safe, controlled environment.”

Ragley Crawl allows swimmers to tackle a one-mile, half a mile or team relay course designed to encourage all levels of open water swimmers to get in and enjoy the freedom of the open water. Swimmers can also raise money for RLSS UK. All proceeds from the event will go towards drowning prevention work to ultimately save lives.

RLSS UK has also organised a Rookie Raid, a 200m swim and 400m run aimed at eight to 12-year-olds.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for first timers, novice and experienced open water swimmers to experience open water swimming in the grounds of one of the country’s premier stately homes. Participants can also take the opportunity to get sponsored and raise funds to help us with our drowning prevention work.

“Whatever your motivation for taking part in the event, we know you will enjoy the experience and, better still, you will be supporting RLSS UK to deliver drowning prevention messages and expand safer open water swimming opportunities across the UK,” Adrian added.

The one-mile (for anyone over 16) and half a mile swim (for anyone over 12) costs £22 per person. If you would like to enter a team for the relay race (3 x 400m) it costs £36 per team. Anyone aged between eight to 12-years-old that wants to take part in the Rookie Raid, a 200m swim and 400m run, costs £6 per person. This fee includes entry to the house and grounds of Ragley Hall. Non-swimmers (spectators and travelling supporters) will be charged £5 per person, a reduced entry fee for full access to the magnificent Ragley Hall and Ragley estate.