Swimming the Seven Sisters

Experience Spitfires and Sunshine over the white cliffs of the Seven Sisters swimming along possibly the most iconic white cliff scene in England. This is much better looking than Dover and certainly one to tick off your list.

On Sunday 4th November the club will be heading off to the East Sussex Coast for our fifth Open Water adventure led again by experienced coach, Stephen Baker. You must be a strong swimmer, with open water experience, and confident of swimming the 2.2 miles distance, tidal assisted.

The Sisters are a series of almost straight white cliffs to the West of Beachy Head and East of Newhaven within the South Downs National Park. They are thought to have been formed by glacier meltwater at the end of the last Ice Age which carved steep sided valleys. These were later truncated by sea erosion into the cliffs we see today.

We will be swimming between Birling Gap in the east and Cuckmere Haven in the west. High tide is at 8:17am and the direction of the swim will depend on the direction of the tide, East to West or West to East. We’ll let you know.

There is every chance of seeing a Spitfire practicing over this area as the aviation rules now enforce over sea flying. It is worth every moment hearing those throaty Merlin engines; the pilots with their flying goggles overhead and us with our swimming goggles below.

Wetsuits are optional but recommended as the water will be cold, between 13°C and 15°C, and we will be in the water for an hour or more. We also suggest some acclimatising swims at our lovely Brockwell Lido beforehand. A tow bag and bright coloured cap are mandatory (red Brockwell Swimmers hats can be bought from our shopping page). More than one if your head gets cold. We also recommended wearing beach shoes during the swim and put a towel and fleece in your bag.

Club members take part in this event at their own risk, click here for details. Brockwell Swimmers reserve the right to decide who is capable of taking part in the swim.

Meet at Brockwell Lido car park at 7am, or meet us there at 9am. If you have a car and can offer a lift please let us know. Cost for this guided swim will be £30 per person. This is a member’s event so you need to have a current membership (£10 for 12 months) and be logged in to the site. To book your place clicking here or visit the Swimming Sessions shopping page.

PUB LUNCH – Please book before Friday 19th October if you would like to join us for a pub lunch afterwards.

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This event is weather dependent. If the sea is too rough we will swim an inland alternative. Fees are non-returnable.