The lake and surrounding area was beautiful. But maybe naively I didn't realise quite how cold the swim would be. The bike course was pretty, lots of hill and good decents, but felt a shame it was on open roads, was difficult to over take and not ideal being caught behind cars. The exit and re entry being gravel and with speed bumps wasnt ideal either. Would like to have had a finish line on the bike. The staff however were all really friendly and helpful.

Great day with my daughter completing the Aquabike sprint. Water was cold and dark but the course was well set.up and super safe throughout. The bike ride was spectacular with a very picturesque setting and lots of rolling hills to really challenge the legs. Support on the course was amazing, I have to single out the Allez checkpoint who was great with only a few kms to go at keeping Ruth encouraged. Support from other competitors on the course was also amazing . Two tiny bits of feedback, more toilets please there was always a long queue and we had a race briefing on the finishing process at about 10:20 which then was completely wrong when we finished the race.

Such a disappointment that the lake was unswimmable. It's actually put me off entering next year as I think it's always going to be cold at the end of September. Perhaps this event could be moved to the old Festival of Endurance weekend to avoid the low temperature issue? And perhaps the high rain issue which effected the water quality (it's a dismal blackout at the best of times) and the challenge of getting in & out of the very muddy fields.............Obviously the lack of car park signage made getting there very stressful. Someone forgot? I complained last year about the poor car park signage. This made me feel we should have got some compensation for a reduced event as it would have been far easier for me to do a local FREE 25 mile cycle with my cycling club! However, the actual race was well done. All officials were helpful & friendly. I forgot my bib number so the supportive scramble before by the officials was appreciated - no making me feel inadequate! Love that the race director personally sends you off. The Marshalls always encourage you.

I had a great race. This is the second time I’ve raced at Hever and loved the parade to the loggia start. This year the water was quite cool, so I was pleased that I’d forced myself into the local lake earlier in the week to help acclimatise. The course was easy to follow and the exit easy to spot. The water seemed fine, if a little cool. I followed ‘received wisdom’ and had some cola at the finish line buffet as ‘proof’ against open water tummy issues - so far, so good :-) There is a good stretch of about 400m between the lake and transition, so still worth practising running out of the water. The bike route is a beautiful leafy route along undulating country lanes. It was well marshalled. I didn’t stop for the water station, knowing that I’d have trouble putting that size of bottle on my bike. It seems that lots of others had problems with this as the area just past the water station was covered with event bottles - it was a shame because I would have loved to take a bottle as a souvenir. Two laps along country lanes, passing the entrance to car parks, presented challenges and potential hazards, as it was necessary to slow to a standstill behind cars waiting for an opportunity to safely overtake competitiors who were struggling with an incline (frustrating, as I was hoping to complete the route faster than 2 years ago when I’d fallen off half way round), but safety first. Is a single lap route possible? Would this ease the problem? At the finish, there was confusion. I think this is a fairly new race format and all three of the Aquabike races I’ve taken part in have had a slightly different approach to the finish. The Aquabike race finished on dismount, after crossing the timing mat, which wasn’t as obvious as I’d expected and I was herded into transition with the Olympic distance triathletes. It would have been nice to have a sign-posted route to the finish chute and medals. We enjoyed food from the concessions, live music from the event band, interviews with competitors and stall holders - great festival atmosphere. I’m not sure if the time of the presentation ceremony was announced. As Aquabike was a small event, I was unsure whether there would be prizes and I think the men’s winner had gone home before I’d finished. Hever is beautiful and I would still like to complete an event that runs around the castle itself - so still a bucket event!

This was a really slick organised event. Generally making everything very clear for competitors. I had a great experience as a competitor and mainly picked this event because I thought my family could come along an enjoy the event given the information. There was certainly a fair amount for them to do, a fair, an assault course and lots of space to play. I do think that what was being charged for spectators was a bit hefty though. Adults and children both have to pay to get in, and its not cheap. Plus the cost of the food and drink was pretty outrageous. £5 for an instant decaf coffee. £15 for a plain pizza for the kids. I'd like to do this again in the future, but the spectators will be bringing ALL their own food and drinks so as not to leave £50 lighter in the pocket for some pretty terrible food.

I really think this is one of the friendliest & inclusive multi-event fixture there is. It's a slick operation given how many people are out swimming, blasting along the roads or trails around Hever by wheel or foot at any one time. You can hammer it as enough very good participants show up or just complete it as a crazy challenge. Love that it gives everyone a chance to push themselves on the same 'stage', including the kids. As a result of the mass participation, there is a wonderful 'party' atmosphere. The comperes are key, as are the young enthusiastic staff who really do care. Everyone gets a little bit of special attention & is reminded that ultimately you should enjoy it! My only niggles would be the car signage & re-cycling claims. Luckily, I remembered how to find the car park by the 'long' route as key directional signs were absent this year. In fact, one sign was only visible from one direction. My normal route was blocked by random road works which added to the tension of arriving in good time. Another road block turned out to be redundant but this was on the only way in so luckily I did get through. Re-cycling: could we hand back our swimming hats for use next year? A dump box like the one for the chips? People could keep them if they wanted. I worked at the Finish Line Saturday & I'm sure the cardboard boxes are re-cycled at clear up at the end of the day but perhaps some separate bins could be placed about for food waste & cups/ paper/ plastic (hoping the cups are re-cyclable). Another bin could be for all other rubbish. Around the venue, there could be a range of bins side by side.

It’s a beautiful event. Lovely bike route and enjoy the hills. I’d prefer one big loop than do the same exact route twice. It’s a little samey. Swim was really disappointing. Extremely shallow in spots I had to bend my arm and I’m quite short! You can feel the moss/ green stuff as well as stones parts with your hands/ arms. Also did not enjoy the mass start of over 50 people. Few people, including me had panic attacks and had to stop and breast stroke. I wouldn’t recommend to a friend or do again. The huntsman was a good swim. Marshals I’m this one we’re fantastic thank you

Castle Howard in July was my first Castle Series event, I enjoyed it so much that I signed up for Hever Castle in September too. The organisation is very professional, very neat and tidy, without making competitors feel like we're in a sausage machine. A key reason for me to do the Castle Series Aquabike was the 30 or 40 competitors in both fields which made it feel like a proper competition. I know the organisers read probably this, this is not a criticism, just a wish to make it even better next year: can the Aquabike finish be flagged up a bit more obviously.? I missed the exact position of the finish line as I ran into the transition area, if it was more obvious, it might have saved me pushing my bike round in circles searching for the timing chip mats (only to realise I had crossed them successfully). An obvious finish line would also have given my one supporter (Thanks for turning out again to my wife) an idea of where to stand to watch out for me. I just want to add a big thank you to all the organisers and marshals who made both events so brilliant.