The Mill 2 Mill Swim started
in 2013 with a bunch of friends getting together and just
deciding to do it. So out came the wetties (it was September)
and sandwiches were made, bottles of ginger beer were packed and
it happened. The official 'start list' only had six starters and
luckily an equal number of finishers.
We opened up participation in
2014 to friends of friends, and to friends of friends of
friends, and before we knew it 50 people had entered. Even
through Britain was hit by the tail of hurricane Bertha that
weekend, most turned up and had a fab time. After all how much
wetter could you get? 
Word of the picnic at the end
of Dedham Vale had started to spread, with mentions in outdoor
magazines websites, so when the entry opened in November with
150 places, it fully booked in 4 weeks.
Loads of interest right from the moment
the entry opened. In the end we had 220 swimmers sign in.
Another classic British
summer's day. Sunny with whispy clouds. The river level had
dropped a bit in recent weeks, but for two days in the week
before the swim it rained solidly and not only brought the level
up to a perfect height it also washed a lot of the weed through,
so on the day the water was very clear.
With coverage in The Guardian
newspaper at Christmas and 'word of mouth' continuing there were
540 swimmers in 2018. It was such an increase that entry was
closed three months before the event. 
The weather did it's best for
us. After a day of high winds and weather warnings, the day of
the Swim dawned calm and sunny and stayed pretty good throughout
the morning. I guess the weather gods were on our side. Our
busiest year yet. There were 6 waves spread out through the
morning. 
Although we try to make this event as
professional as possible it is run by swimmers for swimmers. Apart from
a few experts (lifeguards, first aid etc) everyone is volunteering their
time to help out.
If you can spare half an hour before the swim to help set up the
equipment please just turn up from 8.15am and ask
Cathie for a job.
If you are planning on camping over the weekend
and using the trip to explore other attractions in Constable Country
here are some suggestions of where to stay:
Rushbanks Farm
https://www.rushbanksfarm.co.uk/
Bloomfields Farm, Ardleigh
https://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/sites/details.asp?revid=17740
For more immediate information and the chance to
talk to other swimmers to arrange lifts, car sharing etc. join the
Mill2Mill Facebook group here:
www.facebook.com/groups/326802410994418/
Travel
Please try to car share to the registration
point. If you want to arrange to car share
click through to the event Facebook page here
https://www.facebook.com/groups/326802410994418/
Travelling from
London by train.
Flatford Mill is a bit
rural to get to on a Sunday, but it is possible. The most logical way
would be to catch a train from Liverpool Street to Manningtree.
Then there is a walk of just over 2 miles along
the river (taxis might be a bit sparse at that time) which
should get you to the registration at about 10:10am
https://www.google.com/…/data=!4m15!4m14!1m5!1m1!1s0x47d909….
Parking
We have arranged with The National Trust to have our very own car
park for the event at Flatford Mill. It is marked on the attached map
and will cost just £5 for the entire day (or free to NT members).
If you are using a
SatNav based on Goole Maps you can click here to find the car park
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.9630585,1.0210582,17.09z
It’s marked as ‘Mill 2 Mill Swim car
park. The post code CO7 6UL will get you very close as well.
Once parked carry your picnic stuff and
after-swim changing stuff down to the hill and you will see the small
white registration marquee in the field at the bottom of the hill.
Registration starts at 9.30am on tables relating to your surname. Please
make sure you register at this point. Do not go straight to the start as
we will not know you are in the river (Health and Safety).
Once you have registered you will be given a coloured wrist band to wear during the event. Please put this on and have it on during the swim.
Leave your picnic supplies and the majority of your kit
in your car or here in the
corral by the registration gazebo. Just take with you what you will need
to walk to the start.
Walking to the start
The event is a one way swim, so you drop off
most of your kit at the picnic area, then only take the absolute minimum
with you to walk 2.3km to the start at Dedham. I would suggest this
would be a pair of trainers and a T Shirt in a small shoe bag or small
carrier bag.
There will be a short reminder briefing
immediately before each wave and then you are free to warm up in the
water before you start.
The access to the river is gently sloping and very easy at this point is between waist and shoulder deep.
Wave 1:
Seriously Need More Cake (Known as Serious) (2.2km swim), start at 10.15am.
Wave 2:
Relaxed 'cause we know where the cake is hidden (Known as Relaxed)
(2.2km swim).
Wave 3: Enjoying the
Journey (Known as Enjoying it) (2.2km swim).
Wave 4: Pooh Sticks. Swim half the distance (1.2km), but still finishing at the picnic field
Wave 5: Pooh Sticks. Float and paddle half the full swim distance (1.2km) with floaty things; lilos, unicorns and swans are popular.
If you are late for your wave – don’t panic, join in the next one.
The swim has a public footpath and easy exit points.
If you do get out,
please make your way by the footpath to the finish and check out or
we’ll keep looking for where you have washed up to.
Whilst swimming keep an eye on your fellow
swimmers, this is a casual, social event – not a race. If anyone looks
in trouble, please be the first person to offer help. Better to offer
where it’s not required than leave someone in trouble.
Please don’t forget at this point to go back to the registration marquee
in the picnic field and sign out of the river. There will be hand
washing facilities at the picnic field, but no showers.
Picnic
In all the excitement of the swim don’t forget
to bring your picnic. Don’t take it with you along the walk to the start,
but leave it in or car or the corral by the registration desk at the picnic field, along with your change of clothing and towels,
Dry-Robes etc.
Cake sharing table
The Mill 2 Mill Swim and Picnic is a very social
affair and the swopping and sharing of cake and goodies is very much
encouraged. As the event has got larger each year we have decided to
help this along by providing a cake (and goodies) sharing table.
If you would like to bake a bit extra and share
it around, or sample the expertise of your fellow swimmers and
picnickers please make use of the sharing table at the small marquee.
Cathie and I will get it started with some off
the shelf cake but feel free to be enthusiastic with your donations and
don’t be shy in digging in to the goodies there.
Remember that the event is to promote the
conservation of the river and the surrounding Area of Outstanding
Natural Beauty, so if possible bring your picnic in re-usable containers
and re-usable drinks bottles. But if you do have any rubbish, please
take it home with you for recycling, or put it in the bins provided.
If you see that someone else has left rubbish
please clear that as well. We have promised the landowner, that we will leave no sign of the picnic and if
possible leave the area cleaner than we found it.
Some FAQs:
One of the many attractions of swimming outdoors
is that you are totally immersed in nature, but as the Slow Swims are
often the first opportunity that many people have had to give it a try
you might be surprised by a few things.
There are weeds in the river, you won’t get
tangled in them and they won’t ‘drag you down’ whatever your
non-swimming friends say. If the idea of something touching you whilst
you swim is too freaky then try a wettie or most commonly leggings and a
t-shirt or surfers rashie.
The river bottom can be stony, muddy, have
twigs or sharp flints. A few people will swim with bare feet, and if you
do then be careful as cuts can become infected in river water, but most
people will use swim socks, wetsuit boots or more commonly new thin
swimming shoes like these
https://www.amazon.co.uk/IceUnicorn-Drainage-Walking-Driving-Boating/dp/B071YNF8VJ/
Great for walking to and from the swim as well
(we have no connection to any swim shoe company)
Don’t drink the water. Although the River Stour,
on a bacteriological basis, is in most cases cleaner than a swimming
pool, it’s not wise to drink any more of the water than is necessary.
There are particulates from mud and plant-life that can sometimes upset
your stomach for a day or two; most people are fine but no point taking
unnecessary risks. Needless to say – wash your hands and face before
picnicking.
What to wear
No you don't have to wear a wettie. We will publish the water
temperature 24 hours before the swim on the swim Facebook page and you
can make your own choice:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/326802410994418/
Tow floats are allowed but aren’t compulsory. They are great to use when
you are outdoor swimming in small groups as they allow other river users
to see you and can be great in an emergency for you or other swimmers.
Under 16s are welcome but must be accompanied by a responsible adult. It
is your responsibility to ensure their safety and their ability to
complete the event.
Spectators are very welcome, they can walk
along the river on public footpaths all the way from Dedham Mill to
Flatford, with two styles and two footbridges to cross over.
Weil’s disease
Although Weil’s disease is very rare in the UK,
with only one or cases per year it’s worth being aware. Cover any open
wound with a waterproof plaster. Wash your hands and face after swimming
and before eating. If you get flu or jaundice-like symptoms three to
fourteen days after swimming, ask your doctor for a Leptospirosis test.
It is simply treated with antibiotics.
After Drop
Outdoor river and lake temperatures tend to be
lower than swimming pools, which for many is an attraction, but Slow
Swimmers generate less heat than others so be wary of getting cold
whilst swimming or what’s called ‘after-drop’. As you get out and stop
creating heat you can cool down very quickly and start shaking. This
isn’t serious but can worry the uninitiated. It’s not hypothermia and is
best helped by layers of clothing, hot drinks and repairing to a warm
environment. If you feel this coming on speak to one of the Lifeguards
or any of the Land Crew and we’ll sort you out.
For more information about other Slow
Swimming events join the Slow Swimming Facebook group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/SlowSwimming/ or the Slow Swimming
website
www.SlowSwimming.org