Andark opens watersports lake in heart of Hampshire

by Emma Slater on 26 Feb 2015 Hampshire based Andark has opened its own watersports lake for a host of recreational and water based activities. Tucked away down a small, dusty lane at the back of Andark’s existing premises in Swanwick, is the lake which is peacefully nestled amongst fields and ancient woodland. More than double the size of an Olympic pool, the lake also offers state of the art conference rooms, a café, changing rooms, shop and Wi-Fi throughout.

Whilst the surface of the lake is being utilised for a host of activities, from sailing to triathlon training, underneath the water, the lake has been kitted out with all the latest diving facilities to boast Europe’s first purpose-built dive lake.

The lake itself is seven metres deep, with various sunken features to explore, including the bow of a 17 Century barge, a jet-ski and mirrors (to check yourself out!).

Alongside scuba diving, the lake also provides a safe and stunning location for triathletes, practising their open water swimming, kayakers and canoe enthusiasts practising drills, model boat owners as well as novice sailors (Andark is even planning on fitting wind simulators to provide the optimum conditions).

The lake will complement Andark’s existing range of facilities which includes an indoor pool with one of the UK’s only privately operated helicopter simulators. The simulator has been known to save the lives of pilots, trapped under water in a crashed aircraft, who practised a disorientating ascent back to the surface, at Andark’s pool.

The lake project has been five years in the making and carries a price tag of over £500,000 but as Andark’s managing director, Andy Goddard points out, it has been worth every penny: 'We’ve owned the land for some time but it took years of negotiation with the local authority to make it all happen, due to the scope and size of the project and taking into account the needs of the surrounding neighbourhood. It’s been a lot of hard work to get the lake exactly how we want it but we’re absolutely delighted with the end result.'

Goddard and his team are keen that the lake is adopted by the local and wider community now that the lake has officially launched. 'We already do extensive training with the local maritime academy but we’re looking forward to working with local schools, clubs and the business community.

'We have the ideal location for an adventurous team building day or a superb place to hold the ultimate conference, with everything provided on site.'

Andark will be exhibiting at the upcoming RYA Suzuki Dinghy Show on stand F6 (28 Feb – 01 Mar, Alexandra Palace, London), drop by to chat to the team and find out more about what’s on offer.

For more information about Andark click here.

For ticket details and more information about the RYA Suzuki Dinghy Show click here.