The West Reservoir centre, located in a secluded part of Hackney, is set to reopen on the 29 March under the government’s roadmap for exiting lockdown.
The site, which has 23 acres of water, has been closed since December when London entered tier 4 restrictions.
West Reservoir general manager Ricky McMinn told Hackney Post: “We’re massively excited [to have the West Reservoir reopened]. Being able to deliver on a programme and be back in an environment we all enjoy that we’re missing massively is really important.”
He continued: “But also for the customers, it’s fantastic that us [the Reservoir] being open gives them something different to do.”
What McMinn describes as the Reservoir’s “swim following” increased after they opened their doors early in June 2020, ahead of most other sites. This allowed them to stay open over the autumn months, before they were forced to close.
“The success of last year and the demand for the health and wellbeing benefits allowed us to be open for a lot longer [than their usual May-September calendar],” he said.
The benefit of swimming in water that often reaches temperatures well below 10 degrees is well documented.
Charlotte Hamblin, actor and screenwriter whose credits include Call the Midwife and Hanna, respectively, is one of those that swears by the benefits.
“It’s the place where no matter what I’m feeling, I’ll come out feeling better. It’s definitely my happy place,” she said.
She initially got into the activity after moving to the Lake District for nine months in 2017. She struggles with depression, and said: “Mentally, it really is incredible”.
McMinn added: “The kind of fitness people are able to do at the moment is quite limited … but the mental health benefits, as well as the fitness, [that come from open water swimming] will provide a massive, massive boost.”
He explained: “You only have to look at our Instagram and Twitter whenever we post anything … people are counting down the days.”
While the disappointment of the site being forced to close might still sting – both Hamblin and McMinn believe it should have been allowed to stay open – everyone is clearly relishing the chance to dive back in.
Has Hamblin been able to convert any of her friends or family to her newfound life love?
She said: “Some have wanted to come with me. Some think you’re utterly insane.”
