ALMOST 100 keen swimmers pulled on wetsuits and braved Ragley Lake in a bid to raise funds for a drowning prevention charity.

The Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS UK) held its first ever Open Water Festival on Saturday, September 26 to help educate people on water safety and boost fundraising.

The charity expects to raise more than £2,000 through the event.

Spectators enjoyed a question and answer session with open water legend Adam Walker, Olympic and physical activity expert to the stars Greg Whyte OBE, and former Olympic swimmer Mark Foster hosted by H2Open magazine founder Simon Griffiths. 

The event saw participants of mixed abilities take part in a number of swimming contests including the Ragley Crawl, a one-mile, half-mile or team relay course and the Rookie Raid, 200m swim and 400m run.

RLSS UK director and event leader Adrian Lole said: "Around 400 people each year lose their lives to drowning and we want to ensure every one of all ages can enjoy water safely.

"This is why we organised a fun open water swimming event that everyone could enjoy in a safe, controlled environment.

"Open water swimming is the UK’s fastest growing sport and, as the leaders in water safety and lifesaving education we wanted to launch our very own open water swim."

Professor Whyte, came first in the one-mile swim.

"Open water swimming is exhilarating, liberating and it is growing fast,"he said.

"RLSS UK’s Ragley Crawl was a fantastic event for the fast to first timers. I encourage everyone to take it up as a sport in a controlled, lifeguarded area."

Mr Griffiths said: "The event was a brilliant success. We want to make more events like this regular so people can enjoy the swimming in the freedom of open water, safely."

For more information visit rlss.org.uk.