At last the wild swimming calendar is filling up with event for 2021. Here are a few you may want to try:
20th June – Lock to Lock
The 4k Lock to Lock swim from Eynsham Lock to Kings Lock follows the River Thames downstream through the picturesque landscape of Wytham Woods and Oxford University pastures. Swimmers should be familiar with open water swimming and be able to complete the 4k distance. Wetsuits are mandatory unless you gain our permission in writing before the event. If in doubt please contact us regarding your previous open water swimming experience.
Entry Fee: £60
Link: swimoxford.co.uk
27th – June Selkie Henley Classic
This is a 2.1 km endurance upstream River Thames swimming event, held over the Henley Royal Regatta course, very early on the Sunday morning before the Tuesday start of Henley Regatta. This event is a celebration of mid-summer. It provides a unique opportunity to swim one of the most famous and beautiful stretches of open water in the world, at dawn. You arrive at the event in darkness and walk the 1/4 of a mile to the start into the sunrise, the first wave led by the torch carrier.
Entry Fee: Juniors (14-17) £45 Adults (18+) £55
Link: henleyswim.com
3rd July – Bournemouth Pier to Pier Swim
Setting off from Bournemouth Pier, you’ll swim 1.4 miles parallel to the shore as you make your way to the finish line at Boscombe Pier. Lifeguards will be present in the sea and along the shore at all times, and full First Aid cover will be provided both on land and in the sea.
Entry Fee: £30 sign up fee (£10 for ages 14 – 17) and pledge to raise at least £250 for British Heart Foundation.
Link: bhf.org.uk
17th July – Chillswim Ullswater End to End
The 2021 Chillswim Ullswater Swim will be held on Saturday 17th July at Parkfoot Holiday Park on the outskirts of Pooley Bridge, this will be the 2nd edition of this incredible swimming challenge! Swimmers will complete the full length of lake swim in separate starts based on your average mile pace to give you the best experience possible. As with all of our events this will be a wetsuit optional swim.
Standard entry fee is £120 per person
Link: chillswim.com
24th July – Henley Club to Pub
This event is now SOLD OUT. However, if you would like to swim, please add your name to their waiting list, and you will be contacted should a place become available. The 1.5km swim will start at Henley Rowing Club. The first 400m is upstream towards Marsh lock. Swimmers turn at 2 large marker buoys and hug the Mill Meadow bank, travelling downstream all the way to the Angel on the Bridge.
Entry Fee: £49.50
Link: henleyswim.com
15th August – Thames Marathon
The Thames Marathon is an endurance swim between Henley-on-Thames and Marlow. It covers a beautiful stretch of the Thames and has become one of open water swimming’s most prestigious marathon swims. This year they will be offering a choice of two distances: 5.5km Half Marathon or the usual 14km Full Marathon
Entry Fee: Half Marathon £72 Full Marathon (Early Bird) £120
Link: henleyswim.com
28th August – Windermere One Way Swim
Swim the complete 11 mile length of Lake Windermere South to North in this iconic event, wet suit or non-wetsuit. Swimmers are given the chance to enter one of four ways depending on your aim.
Option 1 Challenge Wave Swimmer providing own paddler £185
Option 2 Challenge Wave T2 sourcing a paddler on behalf of the swimmer £350
Option 3 Elite Wave A sub 5 hour swimmer providing own paddler £185
Option 4 Elite Wave A sub 5 hour swimmer with T2 sourcing a paddler £385
Link: windermereoneway.co.uk
5th September – Oxford Classic 1 Mile Swim
You will be swimming upstream, so against the gentle flow of old Father Thames, or Isis at this point. In September there is very little flow on the river, but a more adventurous experience will be gained by all. Setting off from Donnington Bridge you will be swimming upstream towards Christ Church Meadows, passing the historic bathing spot at Long Bridges on the left. All swimmers will be on the right hand side of the river in a well marked course and escorted by safety canoeist.
Entry Fee: £45
Link: swimoxford.co.uk
18th September – Swim Serpentine
Children with Cancer UK Swim Serpentine is a one-day open water swimming event held in and around the beautiful Serpentine in Hyde Park.
While there may be some differences in terms of social distancing this year, the event will see the same distance options as in previous years, including: Half Mile; One Mile or Two Mile.
Entry Fee: Half Mile £25, One Mile £42, Two Mile £57
Link: swimserpentine.co.uk
25th-26th September – Hever Castle Swim Series
The swim only event provides the choice of three different distances: 5km 2.5km and 1mile (see price table below) and boasts a unique and stunning swim route, which takes in the Castle Lake and River Eden and circumnavigates 16 Acre Island. The swim described by many triathletes as the ‘best open water swim ever completed’ will now be open to outdoor swimmers as an event in its own right. All swimmers will be provided with timing chips and the races categorised into wetsuits and non-wetsuits. Prizes will be awarded for the top three male and female competitors in each distance.
Early Bird prices: One Mile £30, 2.5km £38, 5km £47