Ghent’s Blaarmeersen Expands Open Water Swimming Schedule to Meet Surging Demand

For triathletes and long-distance swimmers in Ghent, the window for open-water preparation just got wider. Starting in June, the Blaarmeersen recreation area is doubling its weekly training availability to accommodate a growing number of athletes looking to move their laps from the chlorinated pool to the open pond.

The popular training sessions, which traditionally took place every Thursday evening, are expanding to include a second night. From June through September, swimmers can now access the water on both Tuesday and Thursday evenings between 18:00 and 20:00 (6 PM to 8 PM local time / UTC+2).

This expansion comes as a direct response to a steady year-over-year increase in interest for open water swimming. By adding the Tuesday session, city officials aim to better distribute the flow of athletes and ensure that more swimmers have the opportunity to clock their necessary kilometers without overcrowding the facility.

Safety and Accessibility

The city is maintaining a low barrier to entry to encourage athletic development. The open-water sessions remain free of charge, and no prior reservation is required for participants. To maintain a safe environment and prevent congestion, capacity is capped at 60 swimmers per hour.

Safety remains the primary priority for the facility. Each training window is staffed by two professional lifeguards who monitor the pond to ensure all participants—regardless of skill level—can train securely. For those unfamiliar with the venue, the Blaarmeersen serves as a critical hub for endurance training in the region, providing a controlled yet natural environment that mimics race-day conditions for triathletes.

The Push for Open Water Endurance

The decision to expand the schedule reflects a broader trend in endurance sports. Open water swimming requires a different set of technical skills than pool swimming, including sighting, navigating currents, and managing the psychological aspect of swimming in a natural body of water. For local triathletes, these sessions are indispensable for honing technique and building the stamina required for the swim leg of their competitions.

Bram Van Braeckevelt, the Alderman (Schepen) of Sport, noted that the expansion is a testament to the vibrancy of the sport in the community. “That we can add an extra moment says enough: open water swimming is alive,” Van Braeckevelt stated, expressing satisfaction that more athletes now have the chance to complete their training cycles.

For the seasoned athlete, the addition of a second night allows for a more structured training block—potentially splitting high-intensity intervals and long-distance steady-state swims across two different days of the week.

Quick Reference: Training Schedule

If you are planning your summer training block, here are the essential details for the Blaarmeersen open water sessions:

• Period: June through September
• Days: Tuesdays and Thursdays
• Time: 18:00 – 20:00 (6 PM – 8 PM)
• Cost: Free
• Capacity: 60 swimmers per hour (No reservation needed)
• Safety: Two lifeguards on duty per session

Whether you are preparing for a full Ironman, a local sprint triathlon, or simply looking to improve your aerobic capacity in a natural setting, the expanded hours at Blaarmeersen provide a professional-grade environment for endurance work.

Athletes are encouraged to monitor local weather conditions and water quality reports before heading out, as typical for all open-water activities in the Ghent region.

The next major checkpoint for the facility will be the official launch of the expanded schedule in June. We will continue to monitor the impact of these expanded hours on the local triathlon community throughout the summer season.

Do you use open water training to prep for your races, or do you prefer the consistency of the pool? Let us know in the comments below.