Goat farm to outdoor swimming lake

When Adam Walker failed to buy a property with a lake, he decided to dig his own

Adam Walker was the first British person to complete the Oceans Seven. Between July 2008 and August 2014, he crossed the English Channel, North Channel, Tsugaru Strait, Gibraltar Strait, Cook Strait, Catalina Channel and the Molokai Strait. He then translated his swimming success into developing an international swim coaching and motivational speaking business.

Then, in 2018, while still running his coaching business, he had the added extra challenge of building the first access-for-all purpose-built open water swim lake and wellbeing centre in the country.

The idea of creating a dedicated outdoor swimming and wellness centre had occupied Adam’s mind for some time. With his partner Gemma, he searched for suitable properties that already had lakes. He almost bought one, but the deal fell through at the last minute.

The vision thing

But a man with a vision is a hard man to stop. In 2018, Adam and Gemma stumbled across a 17-acre dilapidated goat farm, 30 minutes from Lincoln. Adam wondered, could I dig my own lake? It turns out, he could.

“It sounds easy,” says Adam, “but swimming the Oceans Seven was a doddle in comparison.”

Adam goes on to describe the battle to secure planning permission and to win over the sceptical owners of adjacent land, which includes a protected woodland. He recalled the massive amount of physical labour involved in clearing the ground, then landscaping it, and the nervous wait while the lake filled. In addition to digging the lake, they converted an old barn into a wellness centre and installed an endless pool for dedicated technique coaching.

Build it and they will come

The project took four years from conception to completion, with the “Ocean Walker Academy” opening in June 2021. Now, three years later, it is a live example of the build it and they will come philosophy. I was there on a sunny Friday afternoon at the end of July. The landscaping has matured, bullrushes grow around the fringes of the lake and dragonflies flit between them. The only sounds were dogs splashing into the lake (a swim with your dog session was in progress) and the contented chatter of happy swimmers. Regular activities include open water swimming (including winter swimming), kayaking, SUP, yoga (and SUP yoga). The café and sun terrace ensure swimmers hang around to chat and grow a community. As well as regular activities, the centre also hosts races, retreats and swim-related talks.

Accessibility for swimmers

A key point for Adam was to ensure the lake and facilities could be as accessible as possible. Most of the site is suitable for wheelchairs, and entry to the water is via a shallow astroturfed ramp. Additionally, most of the lake is shallow enough for beginner swimmers to stand if they need to rest.

Adam’s philosophy for swimming is founded on turning dreams into reality. He says, “open water swimming changed my life as I achieved my dreams and I wanted to create a facility that helps others do the same.”

The Ocean Walker Academy was recently nominated for a world open water service award by the World Open Water Swimming Association (WOWSA).

Find out more: oceanwalkeracademy.com