Hampstead Heath

[speedobilly]

Anyone here have experience of speedos and swimming at the mens pond on Hampstead Heath. Are speedos the norm, or do shorts tend to prevail. What are the facilities like - are there lockers to keep your stuff safe?

[Torchwatch]

Not been for 20 or more years, the changing area has been rebuilt since then and traditions may have changed.
The changing area used to be roofed lockers and benches around an open core. You would change under cover then could sunbathe in the central core. Since the whole area was a men's changing room with showers many of the sunbathers would be naked.
A doorway would take you onto the bank of the men's lake, A couple of elderly lifeguards would be sitting there on deckchairs watching the swimmers. The swimmers used to be in speedos or short shorts. lake swimming is serious, it does not attract the just about swimmers in their boardshorts that you find in leisure pools and beaches.

[Wetbear1961]

Speedobilly, Did you ever get to Highgate Mens Pond this Summer?

I have just started swimming again after several years and went quite a few times this Summer - last visit was late September. Although shorts predominated, speedos and speedo-types did make up a reasonable minority, and I am pleased to say that included me.

The lifeguards seem to have got younger - or is that just what happens when you get older, rather like policemen?

[Captain.Jammer]

Sounds like a great place!

[Torchwatch]

http://theghostofwatttyler.blogspot.co.uk/

Roll down to the 6th item on the link for a photo and description of swimming on Hampstead Heath.

[Wetbear1961]

That photo is of the mixed pond, which is OK but I much prefer the atmosphere and surroundings of the men's pond on the Highgate side of the Heath.

I have some photos of the Mens Pond which I will try and work out how to post here.

[Wetbear1961]

Hampstead Heath / Highgate Men's Pond

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[Wetbear1961]

Highgate Mens Pond as the sun goes down at the end of a late summer day:

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[Wetbear1961]

Jetty, Highgate Men's Pond

735

[Wetbear1961]

Swimmer, Highgate Men's Pond

736

Can't remember if he was wearing Speedos or not :)

[speedobilly]

Thanks for your response wetbear. I have been around Highgate ponds this summer, but only as I was passing through London (either on my way to or from Heathrow or Gatwick - usually have to stay in London the night before a flight, so have time to fill). Didn't get the chance to swim, although the water did look inviting (if a little murky!).
Here's a link to a couple of photos I took
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/aomdrmzpisb4820/AACBTSWyr7ZjgIcW2UU7HvxMa?dl=0
Glad to hear you were wearing speedos - the only way to swim

[speedobilly]

Chris Geary has a collection of photos taken at Highage Ponds, here's the link:
http://www.chrisgeary.co.uk/london/LondonHampsteadHeath/photo/#1

[Wetbear1961]

Thanks for posting the link for the Chris Geary photos, I had forgotten about them. The choice of men photographed is somewhat selective (and the speedo quotient is somewhat over-represented compared to normal life!), but the photos do give a good idea of the atmosphere at the Men's Pond on a sunny Summer's day.

Unfortunately the diving board was out of action during the late Summer this year but I am hoping it will be replaced for next Summer.

For anyone else who is interested in going, the pond opens around 07.00 each morning, all year round. Closing time varies according to the season and sunset times, but in High Summer (until around mid-August) it stays open until 20.30. Entry is free, as I believe it is part of a Covenant governing the Heath that swimming facilities be provided free of charge. There is a machine at the entrance asking for a payment of £2 but I have never seen anyone put money in it!

See you there in 2018, speedobilly?

[speedobilly]

Anything's possible. One question - where do you leave your stuff whilst you go swimming? Are there any lockers or anywhere else to safely store your clothes etc?

[Wetbear1961]

No there are no lockers. If you leave your stuff in the enclosure people will generally keep an eye on it, especially if you ask them.

I have never had anything stolen from there - touch wood. Thefts are rare, but it is advisable not to take valuables (when I go I usually only take a bit of cash and an Oyster card with less than £20 on it).

[speedobilly]

Thanks for the info. Roll on next summer... :cool:

[Torchwatch]

Things are getting nippy there:
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/9555113/Swimmers-warned-not-to-swim-naked-in-Hampstead-Heath-after-crayfish-invasion.html

[speedobilly]

... doen't bear thinking about... Although crayfish are edible, so you could get your revenge!

[Wetbear1961]

Just to update and bring this thread back to life, the swimming season at Highgate Men's Pond is now in full swing again and I have been a few times already - always in Speedos, of course.

Nasty shorts still predominate unfortunately, but there does seem to me to be an increase in the number of people wearing Speedo briefs this year - quite a few guys seem to have gone for the blue and the red Endurance briefs. Perhaps the tide is turning?

Oh, and I haven't been bitten by a crayfish yet.

[Wetbear1961]

Also forgot to mention, the diving board has been replaced and is back in action.

[Wetbear1961]

The diving board is temporarily out of action as there is some sort of underwater obstruction - divers are going to have to go down and explore.

The Men's Pond is still very much open for swimming though - and the Speedo count is definitely well up this year!

[speedonutt]

Chris Geary Closed Down His Site June 2018 :( But Most On Facebook.

[Wetbear1961]

The diving board is back in action this week. Divers did a check around the jetty area, and found an underwater obstruction which has now been removed.

[Red^^Speedo]

https://tinyurl.com/y9yz582x


:)




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[speedobilly]

Good to hear the diving board is back in use - it's one of the great things about the place. Always impressed with guys who can manage somersault dives - never been that good myself - can just about manage a straightforward "angel dive". Always find it's a lot easier to dive or jump into cold water rather than slowly lowering in down a ladder. Any idea exactly what the "obsturction" was? - supermarket trolley perhaps...

[Wetbear1961]

Good to hear the diving board is back in use - it's one of the great things about the place. Always impressed with guys who can manage somersault dives - never been that good myself - can just about manage a straightforward "angel dive". Always find it's a lot easier to dive or jump into cold water rather than slowly lowering in down a ladder. Any idea exactly what the "obsturction" was? - supermarket trolley perhaps...

Apparently it was some sort of metal pole. No-one has any idea how it got there.

I can't do the somersault dives either, but I've rediscovered my ability to do a normal one :)

[speedobilly]

Apparently it was some sort of metal pole. No-one has any idea how it got there.

I can't do the somersault dives either, but I've rediscovered my ability to do a normal one :)

Think you have to be a natural gymnast, and have a lot of confidence (daring) to do somersaults. Some people just haveit, but most, I think, don't - I fall into the latter category... sigh...

[Wetbear1961]

The Summer Season is ending - the Pond will close at 4.30pm from Monday 24th September, and will be further pushed back in n-mid/late October, probably to 2.30pm. I reckon my swim yesterday evening will be the last of the year. Water is now about 16C which is still quite pleasant.

At least this week I achieved my aim, which was to swim five continuous circuits of the Pond before the end of the season. Considering when I restarted my swimming last year I struggled to get round once, I'm pretty pleased with that. Also I'm 12 kilos lighter and fitter, so I can dive properly again :) .

So it's London Fields Lido for me now. Four times a week, with a twenty-five minute walk each way, should help my fitness and weight loss continue through the Winter.

[speedobilly]

How warm does the water get om summer then - top temperature of ??
16C made me smile - at the pool where I usually swim the water temperature is 26C, but occasionally they take it down to 24C - and everybody notices and complains - just that little makes a real difference. I know its all different when swimming outdoors - especially if it's sunny and warm. Missing those hot summer days already ... sigh

[Wetbear1961]

The Pond got up to 25C this summer - which to be honest I wasn't keen on. It's a good temperature for a swimming pool, but doesn't feel right for open water. I prefer around 18-20C and will happily swim in lower.

[Bede735]

The Serpentine in Hyde Park was 23 degrees last August. That was quite exceptional, as several years ago at that of year it was just 17.