Roker Beach

Session dates and times

• Sundays 10am
• 23rd June start date for 8 consecutive weeks

Location (including where to meet)

• Roker beach, Sunderland SR6 0PL
• What3words: firms.rating.ballots
• Location to meet: The exact meeting place will be emailed to everyone prior to the start of the sessions. The beach is pebbly so crocs or trainers are advisable to wear onto the beach to get over those pebbles. I will provide more detailed information closer to the start of the sessions.

///firms.rating.ballots

or 2) Meet outside these toilets

///bolt.mixed.poem

Transport links

• Buses: Bus stop-Roker Queen Victoria
• E1 6 minute journey from Sunderland Fawcett Street
• Runs every 30 minutes 07 and 37 mins past the hour from 8:07am
• Cost – single £1.80 ( 90 for job seeker)
• Day saver- £4.50
• 33 minute journey from South Shields
• Runs every 30 minutes from 23 and 53 mins on the hour from 8am
• Cost- single £2 (£1 job seeker)
• Day rider- £5.50

Directions by car

General directions, Depends on which of many routes you are coming from, if needed, I can send more detailed information to you but general directions are.

If approaching from Sunderland

Along A183, direction, once you pass the Queen Victoria Hotel, which will be on your left, at the next roundabout turn right and the road will lead you downhill towards the beach.

If approaching from Seaburn/ South Shields direction along A183

The beach and promenade will be on your left, you will pass a sign then come to a roundabout, take the first exit which takes you down hill to the beach, you will pass the bungalow cafe and Tin of sardines bar.

Parking information

Pay and Display at two car parks available. If driving, aim to park at Marine Walk for first few sessions, if spaces available, if not park in Harbour View.

Tariff: Charges apply all days – 8am to 10pm – 70p per hour (or part thereof) or £3 all day.

Disabled parking – Vehicles displaying a disabled blue badge may park free of charge without time limit on this site. AccessAble access guide for this car park.

Marine Walk, Roker, SR6 0PL

Surface car park with 50 spaces, including two coach/mini bus bays, seven disabled bays.
https://ringgo.co.uk/ location no. 35859

Harbour View, Marine Walk, Roker, SR6 0ZZ

https://ringgo.co.uk/ location no. 35860

Surface car park with 128 spaces, including ten disabled bays and two electric charging bays.

Swimming experience needed

Able to confidently swim 2 lengths of a 25m pool in any stroke and be able to tread water. We will be dipping more than swimming and we won’t be going out far. We will only be in the water on days that it is safe to enter the water and everyone will be given a tow float to use.

Accessibility of venue

There is a ramp onto the beach and the fabulous charity Beach Access have wheelchairs suitable for use on the beach, please go to  Roker, Sunderland – Beach Access North East to find out more, if you need to discuss accessibility, please do get in touch with myself via the Outside Team.

Facilities (including where you can get changed)

For ease, I would advise you to arrive with your swim qear under your clothing.
We will have access to a room, more details will be sent closer to the start of the sessions.

There are also public toilets on the beach, including an accessible toilet which a radar key is needed for.

What to bring with you

Please do not arrive hungover ( or drunk ), make sure you have rested and slept the night before and eaten a good breakfast, having fuel in you is much better before a cold water swim. If you are not feeling 100% please let me know, as your experience may not be as good, so we can rearrange.

Essential kit but if you don’t have any of these items please let me know as I have lots of spares and can also try to find some for you.

Towel x 2

Swim costume or trunks, good idea to wear under your clothing

Prescribed medication you may need e.g. inhaler ( I have a dry bag to keep these in during the swim)

If you have any cuts or wounds, it is advisable to cover these with waterproof swimming plasters before going into open water

Warm bobble hat, even if it is hot, beneficial to have just in case for post swim or on cooler days can also be worn during the swim

Tow float– bright coloured float- I have spare for all to borrow during sessions

Mat to stand on can be beneficial in case it is muddy, rocky etc. I cut up an exercise mat to stand on a piece of that when changing to insulate from the ground. I will have spare of these too.

Extra kit:

Wet suit- not essential but if you have one and wish to wear this, please bring this

Thermal swim socks, swim socks or swim shoes- I have these that you can borrow

Goggles, ear plugs, swim cap, not essential, personal choice

Dry robe or towelling robe, not essential, a large towel to get changed under can be beneficial for discretion. I use a towelling robe (hope to source some of these)

Food/ drink:

Sugary snack for post swim

Drink– hot drink beneficial on a cooler day

Clothing:

These are just ideas, yet anything that keeps you cosy and dry post swim is beneficial, layers are the best way to warm up post swim, as even on a warm day it is important to rewarm safely post swim. Always better to have more clothing than too little.

If you normally feel the cold and get cold easily, a few extra layers is beneficial to help you post swim so add another jumper etc.

Trousers or leggings, even if it is a hot day, still good for post swim rewarming

Socks- spare socks are never a bad thing either.

Shoes- trainers or boots you can wear socks with

Loose Vest top-this can make it easier to change post swim, if you can step into a top and pull it up

Jumper + extra

Jacket

Waterproof, if rain is forecast

Gloves– again just in case and help to re-warm

EXTRAS:

A bag for wet clothing

Something to cover your kit to project from any rain, in case it rained mid session could be beneficial

Underwear-although post swim it can feel like they have been dipped in super glue so not regarded as essential for all

If you have any questions, please do email the research team at spnt.outside@nhs.net