Below are some of the questions that we are frequently asked, please have a scroll through as you will most likely find the answer to your question here. If there is something we haven’t covered, please get in touch via the email icon at the bottom of the page or of course the Frog Graham Round Facebook group has lots of good information available.
Q: Do I have to use two wetsuits because of the invasive species risk?
A: Yes please. The threat of invasive species is a huge concern, so either use two wetsuits or thoroughly rinse your wetsuit before using it in Crummock Water and Buttermere. Our Biosecurity page gives more guidance on this subject.
Q: When can I attempt the Frog Graham Round?
A: Anytime you like. The round is not regulated or constrained by a given authority, so any organisation and safety relevant to your attempt is down to you and you alone. It goes without saying that conditions on the FGR are more amenable at certain times of the year due to water temperature, also there are times when the bracken is particularly bad and you should bear this in mind.
Q: Can I attempt the Frog Graham Round in Winter?
A: You can, but we don’t recommend it. We do, however, acknowledge that some individuals will attempt this very formidable challenge irrespective of our recommendation and therefore the FGRC will recognise a Winter Round in the same way as the Bob Graham 24-Hour Club, meaning we differentiate between Winter and mid-Winter rounds: any day starting from the weekend prior to the shortest day (21st Dec in 2021) and up to 10th January of the following year is classed as a mid-Winter round. Any round that falls outside these dates but between 1st December to 1st March is classed as a Winter Round.
Anyone contemplating a Winter Round should be a very experienced open-water swimmer who has trained and acclimatised to swimming in extreme conditions. You should also have experience of winter mountaineering and carry all the necessary equipment (ice-axe, crampons/microspikes) to ensure your safety. The Outdoor Swimming Society provide sound guidance on the realities of cold-water swimming as do the RNLI
Q: Should I inform anyone of my intention to attempt the Frog Graham Round?
A: If you wish your attempt to be ratified with a view to joining the Frog Graham Round Club we request that you inform us of your attempt beforehand - please use the Registration link at the top of the page. For safety, you should also have informed a friend or relative of your intentions, particularly if you are doing a solo round.
Q: How do I report my successful completion of the Frog Graham Round?
A: Full details on how to report your successful round for ratification is provided on the FGR Club page. Note that you will need a valid GPS trace (preferably in .gpx format) to support your application. For information on how to export a .gpx file from your Garmin device or from Strava, please see our Links page.
Q: Do I have to use a wetsuit?
A: You don't, but it's highly advisable. Even in the height of summer the lakes can be very cold and if you are not acclimatised to swimming in cold water it can be very dangerous. The extra few minutes to put on a wetsuit are well worth it.
Q: Are swim aids permissible?
A: Anything that aids your buoyancy and enhances your safety is fine, so pull-buoys, inflatable drybags, water wings are all permissable. What is NOT in the spirit of the FGR are paddles or fins, these are performance-enhancing and shouldn't be used.
Q: Do I have to be self-supported?
A: No, absolutely not. The basic ethos of the Frog Graham Round is one of self-support on the fells and in the water, but it's up to YOU to decide how you are going to do it. As an example, some people prefer company with them on the fells, some like the assurance of a canoe/boat leading them in the water.
Q: Do I have to start at a specific place?
A: Yes. The FGR starts and finishes at Keswick's Moot Hall, no matter which direction you go in.
Q: Are there any restrictions as to route choice?
A. You are free to choose whichever route you prefer as long as visit the prescribed summits and other features in the correct order. You should, however, ensure that you use gates and stiles wherever possible (never climb over dry stone walls) and respect the boundaries of private land. You should also take note of any erosion controls that are in place, they are there for a reason and all contenders should respect and observe their constraints.
Q: What are acceptable methods of navigation?
A. The expectation is that a given contender will be competent with map and compass and be able to use them to navigate the Frog Graham Round. That said, it is perfectly acceptable to use other tools such as a barometric altimeter and GPS devices (both handheld and wrist-mounted), although you should be aware of their limitations and the possibility of technical problems. What is absolutely NOT acceptable is for any kind of route-marking to take place, that means building cairns, marking with tape or paint or using any other type of physical marker. Any contender who cannot support this policy will not be considered for membership.
Q: What equipment should I have?
A: The suggested equipment list is provided on the Safety page but this is far from exhaustive and is down to individual choice. Basically, anything that will enhance your personal safety and make the day a more enjoyable experience is a good thing.