this is all a bit last minute does algae appear that quick

There's an alternative for anyone who was swimming it. We just need a minimum of 20 people to make it viable. See the Outdoor Swimming Society group page on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=55781602829#!/topic.php?uid=55781602829&topic=15732

Can't believe it! It was my first year and the amount of money and effort I have put into it .... not sure i'll get refunds on accommodation .... do you think they'll be able to hold it this year - when does it get too cold?

we in the lake district tourist industry will starve to death this year. Maybe the sewage arrangements could be reviewed as pumping gallons of the stuff into Windermere every week could be making a difference. Tiresome thing to happen when we all knew that putting the speed limit on the lake would solve every Lakeland problem known to man.

I doubt very much that you will starve to death. We have a welfare system in this country that looks after people.

There are people on this world who are really starving to death, instead of just being outside of their comfort (profit) zone.

@Sarah Jane Ibbetson - Are you sure sewage is pumped into Windermere? I'm not saying you're wrong but if that is the case that's terrible. Do you mean raw or treated sewage?

I was also going to be doing the GNS this Sunday and I'm really disappointed it's not happening but at least I hadn't booked accomodation (I was going to drive down on the day again, like last year). I have a lot of sympathy for people who had booked accomodation - could you still go and tun it into a weekend in the Lakes? I know it's nowhere near the same thing though :(

Site booked for three nights to make a break of the swim, been sponsored by lots a people for a local charity, smimming training completed even went in pool in wet suit as final prep and now the swim is cancelled ! To say i am angry is an understatement, when i got a text message last night i thought it was a joke but no it was true. The thing that gets me is how long have the organisers known of the problem it surley did not just occur yesterday and if they did know could they not have moved it to another lake and kept the date and times the same ?

bring back the no speed limit

It is a ver ygreat shame for thousands of people as well as the area itself. The decision won't have been made lightly. Blue-green algae is toxic therefore, a very sensible decision. At the moment, it isn't cancelled, only postponed. Disappointing as it is, I'm sure people value their health/life more.

Love Your Lakes provides useful information about looking after our lakes and blue-green algae.

For more information on the health implications and how to reduce the prevalence of blue-green algae, visit www.loveyourlakes.org

I agree they have made a safety decision but like Keith it is expensive for people who have planned weekends and can't get refunds ... more warning may have helped ... also, I wonder what happens to the raised charity money if it doesn't go ahead ... I am assuming people who have donated won't want it back!

The hotel I rang said the lake was still being used for the 10 mile - so maybe when i go anyway this weekend i will see if there is another corner/lake somewhere to practice in!

I received my swimpack for the event much later this time than I did last year in fact I emailed the organisers to ask when it would be sent as I was getting worried they'd forgotten to send mine but they said it was on it's way.

The point I'm making is I wonder if they left the despatching of the swimpacks so late because they already knew there was a possibility of it being cancelled this weekend and were thinking they might be able to get away with not sending out the swimpacks at all (if cancellation of the event could have been confirmed early enough) which would have saved them a considerable sum of money?

I do agree though that safety must be paramount and if I'd found out afterwards that I'd been put at risk by being allowed to swim in waters contaminated with high levels of blue/green algae I'd have been much more concerned and upset than I am right now.

It's a terrible shame that the event has been postponed and I am really disappointed after all the training I've put in. But as I understand it Blue Green Algae can spread and develop into something toxic quickly given the right environmental conditions and I'd rather be safe than sorry!

It is lovely in Cumbria today so I'm still planning to make the most of my weekend, there are some suggestions of other events and activities on here http://bit.ly/c9e0N0

The organisers of the Great North Swim have done the right thing to cancel the event for health implications, please don't forget there is still loads to do in Cumbria this sunny weekend.

For practical steps to learn how we can all do little things to help prevent large blooms of blue-green algae, we should use phosphate-free laundry and dishwashing products.

www.loveyourlakes.org

Love your Lakes provides simple steps to fight off blue-green algae as well as useful information for swimmers and other lake users.

Hi all - Adventure Challenge Solutions are offering an alternative to the event which has been postponed, so if you've booked your weekend away, or had planned a trip especially, you can still get your swim in, at an awesome venue.
Capernwray Dive Centre is an old quarry, springfed, crystal clear, and officially Englands 2nd cleanest open water. We've got 1500m and 500 metre swims on Saturday and Sunday starting at 5pm both days. The cost is £19.95, and we guarantee all comers their swim! For more details please call us on 07919 368050, or just turn up at Capernwray Dive Centre - Google for sat nav details, and we'd be thrilled to help take the edge off the disapointment. www.adventure-challenge-solutions.co.uk

it is very disappointing, and myself and friends who were coming to watch have all booked hotels non refundable, so we are going to carry on and make our way up tomorrow early and spend the weekend there. I am hoping to have a good weekend, and do a little bit of walking, picnicing and having a mooch around some of the towns. Will stop of at the lake and have a look, and have a bit of a grumble at the water.

i hope everyone has a good weekend whether they are travelling up to the lakes or not, at the end of the day the decision has been made and we have to accept it and look forward to next year or if they have a new date, and im sure we will all have a story to tell whilst waiting to swim our wave.

good luck to everyone when we finally get to swim our great north swim

I have no real axe to grind with swimmers as I was a keen competative swimmer myself in my youth and am sorry that so many people have been inconvenienced. However why does this event regualrly have to cause so much traffic chaos by the Low Wood Hotel? I have been caught in very very lengthy jams here when returning from fellwalking in the past. I find it incredible that so many can be inconvenienced by lengthy delays just so spectators and others can cross the main road to and from the Low Wood Hotel. Surely organisers can do better in relation to preventing traffic chaos?