This was my first formal swim event and it was a great one to do. I felt very well looked after on the course as I was swimming solo, that was reassuring. Lot of kayak marshalls to direct us and course boats around, plus really friendly volunteers at the exit and entry points for the locks you need to walk round. 

The pre-event info was all clear and not excessive or lacking, the organisation on the day was faultless and I will be back to do the full distance next year. I like the fact you can swim this without a wetsuit without any super cautious temperature restrictions too. I have avoided events where they insist on wetsuits at temperatures I can swim in all day. 

Only slight negative was one or two of the course boats were using older two-stroke engines that were a bit smoky (not ideal when breathing hard). Would be great to see the organisers partnering with one of the electric outboard companies to make for quieter and cleaner course boats. 

I would highly recommend this event as a beginner (as long as you have done a bit of training) and will be and have been recommending it to my friends.