National open water event list 2010
Thursday 23rd September 2010
[June][July][August][September]
Please note these entries were good at time of being published, so please confirm any bookings or dates with the organizers of each event listed directly.
The OSS are not responsible for any changes of times, dates or cancellations of these events.
June 2010
Saturday 12th June 2010
Ye Amphibious Ancients Kirkton of Balmarino swim, Dundee, Scotland
Ye Amphibious Ancients Bathing Association have been swimming at Broughty Ferry on the coast of Scotland for 123 years and organise a series of open water events, some of which are open to the public. The June swim is a long tide-assisted sea swim of 8 miles. It was televised on Sky in 2008.
Sign up: More on the YAABA website. Closing date is 12th May.
Sunday 13th June 2010
Aquasphere 3.8km Long Swim Series, South Cerney, Gloucestershire
The second of four swims in a 3.8km race series popular amongst Triathletes and long distance swimmers (the next 8th August Bournemouth and 6th September Dorney). Aqua Sphere swimming kit prizes at each event and series prizes too for results in three races, to include this one. Marker buoys, safety boats and wetsuit hire.
Sign up: Entries cost £25 and all get a goodie bag and a piece of cake! More details on their website. Extra details a fortnight before the event.
Sunday 13th June 2010
Exmouth Fairway Buoy Swim, Devon
The Exmouth Swimming and Life Saving Society has a strong open water swimming squad that organises two swims a year, with some members training for the Channel. This is their first event, a challenging 4.75 mile swim out to sea, but assisted by the tide, and the first sea swim of the BLDSA calendar. There were forty swimmers in 2009, when bad conditions led to the course being shortened to 2.5 miles. Can be shallow, and cold, at 12-13˚. Start at 1pm.
Sign up: There is an entry form at www.exmouthswimming.org. Entries cost £32 plus £6 for a meal. Closing date 17th May and spaces limited to 32.
Wednesday 16 June 2010
Swim South Lakes, Capernwray, Lancs
A new series of three events (the next 28th July and 25th August) aimed at seasoned swimmers and beginners alike. There are three distances, of 500m, 1,000m or 1,500m, at the spring-fed Capernwray Dive Site, which has officially the second-cleanest open water in the UK. Showers, BBQ, safety boat and scuba. 7pm start. Prizes promised.
Sign up: more details and link to entry form on their website. The cost is £18.50, with a goody bag, and numbers are limited to 150.
Saturday 19th June 2010
British Gas Great East Swim, Alton Water, Ipswich, Suffolk
The first in a series of four one-mile swims across the country, now in its third year. 10,000 people took part in the four events in 2009, including 1500 in the Great East one, which is suited to swimmers of all abilities. The venue is a large reservoir in beautiful countryside. A number of charities invloved, including Diabetes UK, Mind, the RNLI and the Swimming Trust. Wetsuits recommended, and compulsory if the water is below 15˚.
Sign up: the entry fee is £30, to include a swim hat, timing chip, t-shirt and medal. Over 16s only. Details are at www.greatswim.org.
Sunday 20th June 2010
Epic Lake Swim Series, Derwent Water, Cumbria
The second in the new swim series (the last Ullswater on 11th July) that will cater for all with 3 different race distances of 500m, a mile and 3.8km. First race 10am, and start at Keswick Rugby Club.
Sign up: the costs are £10, £15 or £20 according to distance. Full details and forms on their website.
Wednesday 23th June 2010
OSS Midsummer Party, Parliament Hill, London
Part party, part swim, and swimmers are encouraged to swim their way to the OSS Midsummer Party on 23th June, following the ribbon of a river or plunging into lakes and puddles on their way to London; use the OSS facebook to make plans. A full evening from 6pm to 10pm of open water swimming, fun, food and music at Parliament Hill Lido, with underwater music, a full moon, fancy dress, hot tub and high spirits.
Sign up: the cost is £20, and Register here.
Saturday 26th June 2010
Ironman Swim, River Arun, West Sussex
A 3.8km swim inaugurated in 2009, on a river with the second-fastest tidal flow in the country. The swim starts a little after noon at the Ship and Anchor pub near Ford station, and finishes at the RNLI pier at the river mouth. The winning time in 2009 was 46 minutes and 35 seconds.
Sign up: Entries cost £18 and are now full but there is a waiting list.
Sunday 27th June 2010
The Henley Swim (previously Black Sheep), Oxfordshire
The Henley Swim started in 2002 when a couple of ex-rowers (and also swimmers) decided that it would be nice to swim the 2.2 km Henley Royal Regatta course on the Sunday before the regatta begins, with a dawn start to avoid the boats. With increasing popularity it is now an official event but the spirit is intact.
The event is hosted at Upper Thames Rowing club where there is camping available in a field/car park behind the club.
A feature of the swim is the walk to the start which begins in the pre-dawn near-darkness; registration opens at 0230hrs. In 2009 the 167 swimmers had times between 27 minutes and 1 hour 16 minutes.
Sign up: the event is now full after overwhelming demand, so for next year check on www.henleyswim.com.
Sunday 27 June
BHF Bournemouth Pier to Pier swim, Sussex
One of the British Heart Foundation events and places for 1200 people this year as in 2009. It is a swim of 1.4 miles in the sea between Bournemouth and Boscombe piers. There is a suggested minimum of £60 in sponsorship for BHF.
Sign up: fees are £10 for adults and £5 for children; under 16s need to be accompanied by an adult. 200 places left.
Sunday 27 June
Seahorse Swim, Knoll Beach, Studland, Dorset
The first year for this swim, which is being run by the East Dorset Open Water Swimming Club. The 3.8km swim goes across Studland Bay near Swanage on the Isle of Purbeck. It is being held in association with the National Trust and in support of the Studland Seagrass & Seahorse Study group.
Sign up: limited to 100 swimmers and both the main and waiting list are now full.
Weekend 3rd & 4th July 2010
The inaugural Blue Mile will take place in Plymouth on 3rd and 4th July 2010. Participants are invited to complete a mile in, on or next to the water to raise vital awareness and funds for the event charity partner, WWF-UK, the world's leading conservation charity. Participants can choose between an open water swim, paddle or even just a guided walk along the mile route from the Mayflower Steps in Plymouth's historical Barbican to West Hoe Pier, on the waterfront.
As well as the action on the water, The Blue Mile also includes an interactive Event Village themed around Sport, Healthy Living and a Clean Environment, with exhibits and entertainment for all the family to enjoy, and the inspirational Marine Institute Blue Lectures, which feature 6 speakers from the world of sport, adventure, film and science.
Entry to The Blue Mile Swim event is £30 per person (OSS Members, £25.00 - please use the discount code BMOWX5 at online checkout to benefit from this discount) and entry includes Swim Cap, Blue Mile T-shirt, Event Goodie Bag, Timing Chip and free entry into The Blue Mile Event Village). To enter or for further information about The Blue Mile 2010, please go to www.thebluemile.org
Saturday 3rd July 2010
British Gas Great London Swim, Docklands
The second in the series of four one-mile swims across the country. 1000 people took part in 2009 in the first Great London swim, which appeals to swimmers of all abilities. The venue is the Royal Victoria Dock, near Canary Wharf, in relatively clean river water. The charities involved include Diabetes UK, Mind, the RNLI and the Swimming Trust.
Sign up: the entry fee is £35, to include a swim hat, timing chip, t-shirt and medal. Over 16 only. Details are at www.greatswim.org . About 1,000 places left of the 5,000 target.
Saturday 3rd July 2010
Brighton Beach Sea Swim during the Paddle Round the Pier festival www.paddleroundthepeir.com. The swim is 1km and takes in two 500m laps and will have wetsuit and non wetsuit categories and is open to all competent swimmers. The aim of the festival is to raise money for the three charities, RNLI, Surf Aid International and the local Whoopsadaisy children’s charity, the swim will contributing towards these charities from the entry fee paid so entrants do not have to raise extra funds unless they feel compelled to do so. Contact Mark at www.metaphorevents.co.uk for an entry form or more info.
Saturday 10th July 2010
Scallop Shell Swim, Gansey Bay, Isle of Man
The Isle of Man Queenie Festival (the queenie is a scallop) held a series of sea swims in 2009 in June and July to encourage people to enjoy the waters around this scenic island. This year's Queenie Festival has been condensed from a week into a long weekend and there are no details yet of a swim, but we hope to include them soon.
Sign up: The fees were £10 for seniors and novices and £5 for juniors, which covered all three swims.
Sunday 11th July 2010
Epic Lake Swim Series, Ullswater, Cumbria
The third and last in the new swim series that will cater for all with 3 different race distances of 500m, a mile and 3.8km. First race 10am, and a start at Jenkins Field, Glenridding.
Sign up: the costs are £10, £15 or £20 according to distance.
Sunday 11th July 2010
The Big Jump, nationwide
A series of river swims and picnics, part of an European project, with events organised by OSS local groups.
Saturday 17th July 2010
OSS Silent Swim, Oxford
Swimming outdoors is a transformative experience: free from gravity and immersed from nature people have a different experience of their minds, bodies and the world around them. The OSS will be celebrating this 'resumption of a natural condition' with a silent dawn swim in the Thames as part of an art symposium being held by Oxford Brookes University, the Culture of Swimming and Rowing. Registration will open soon. We are expecting 300 swimmers in a silent procession, that will be documented by artists.
Saturday 17th July 2010
Topsham to Turf, Devon
There was just one swimmer in this charity swim in 2006 - Mike the ferryman. He was joined by a few others in 2007, including one OSS passerby who stripped off and jumped in and swam in his underpants. Last year there were 117, so go to join this quirky 1.5 mile estuary swim, which starts at noon at one pub with folk bands and the town crier, and ends at an Exeter institution, the Turf pub. £25 to join, plus raise £25 for the Estuary League of Friends. Contact rachel.estuary@virgin.net.
Sunday 18th July 2010
Stert Island Swim, Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset
A popular race in the sea over a course of 2.4km, out from Burnham Beach to Stert Island in Bridgwater Bay and back. Entry numbers are limited to 80 or so, and the start is at 4.30pm. 'Very safe and well organised (usually thousands of bemused spectators), can be choppy though. Absolutely zero water visibility which is surreal. Usually some very fast swimmers and some not so fast!', said one OSS member. The fastest time in 2009 was 30 minutes.
Sign up: more details by contacting sarahudghton@hotmail.com 0r 07865 071782.
Weds 21st July 2010
Swim the Solent, Isle of Wight
First swum in 2007 by the director of the IoW Samaritans, with sixteen in 2008 and then 24 in 2009 who raised £16,500 for the charity. An early morning start to avoid some shipping, this year the swim goes from Hurst Castle on the mainland at 5.45am to Cowell. RIBs and Lifeboats take the swimmers over from Yarmouth; free breakfast on finishing.
Sign up: the 30 places have been taken but to join the waiting list, go to the website. A minimum level of £500 in sponsorship needed.
Saturday 24th July
Padstow to Rock swim, Cornwall
After fuelling yourself with Rick Stein's fish and chips in Padstow, swim the mile across the Camel estuary to Rock with the man himself to raise money for Macmillan. We can't really promise Rick Stein, though he did swim it last year, but we can promise a stunning dune-jewelled coastline.
Sign up: entries cost £30 and are due by 19th July. Places are limited to 300 (100 for those who can swim it in half an hour). Details at www.macmillan.org.uk/Fundraising/.
Saturday 24th July
OSS Port Eliot Wild Swim, Devon
Free to those with tickets for the eclectic literary festival in Devon is a one mile estuary swim led by Kate Rew through the cornfields and reed beds of the River Tiddy. Swimmers will be serenaded by local birdlife and the rock and roll fishermen who make up Caught by the river. Registrations will be taken through the Port Eliot office nearer the time.
Saturday 24th July 2010
Mencap Mile, Eton, Berkshire
All are welcome at a fund-raising event for Mencap in the Dorney Lake at Eton, over a distance of a mile. Alternatively, do a mile for the charity somewhere else that day. There is an enticing range of prizes for the most successful fund-raisers.
Sign up: Please contact Mehreen Syed on 020 7696 6946. Registration £25 or £60 for a team of three, with suggested fund-raising targets of £50/150.
Sunday 25th July 2010
Brownseas Island swim, Dorset
A lengthy sea swim of 4.6 miles, organised by the RLSS Poole Lifeguards, which raised £9,500 for local charities in 2009.
Sign up: the 200 places have been taken and the reserve list is full.
Wednesday 28th July 2010
Swim South Lakes, Capernwray, Lancs
The second in a new series of three events (the last 25th August) aimed at seasoned swimmers and beginners alike. There are three distances, of 500m, 1,000m or 1,500m, at the spring-fed Capernwray Dive Site, which has officially the second-cleanest open water in the UK. Showers, BBQ, safety boat and scuba. 7pm start. Prizes promised.
The cost is £18.50, with a goody bag, and numbers are limited to 150
Sunday 1st August 2010
Nokia Thames Swim, Hampton Court, Surrey
Nokia and Human Race are staging the first Nokia Thames Swim between Hampton Court Palace and Ravens Ait, a small island in the Thames south of Kingston Bridge. The swim is 2 miles downstream with a 10am start.
Sign up: Entry cost £25 and the list is full; see the Human Race website for a reseve list.
Saturday 7th August
Big Scottish Swim, Elie, Fife
A one-mile open water swim in the beautiful, sandy bay at Elie in Fife, and a fund-raising event for Sue Ryder. The course is out from the harbour and along the coastline before reaching the halfway buoy and heading for the finish line. Ample parking nearby and secure changing facilities provided. Start at 12.30pm.
Sign up: Registration £15, to include cap, medal and goody bag. Spaces are limited so it is advisable to register early at the Big Scottish Swim , and the closing date is 5th August.
Saturday 7 August, 2010
Outlaw Swim, Nottingham Holme Pierrepont. Come and enjoy any of the swims; 500m/1500m or3000m in wetsuit or no wetsuit. To find out more go to;
Onestepbeyond.org.uk/outlaw-saturday-swim
Saturday 21st August
Big South Swim, Dorney Lakes, Berks
Organised by F3 Events With two distances (1.5K and 3.8K) to choose from and open to all abilities. This is a great opportunity to swim in the 2012 Olympic Rowing venue, which is not too deep, and is naturally filled from underground source. It is crystal clear and calm.
Sign up: fees are £22 (£20 BTF)
To find out more visit the F3 events website.
Sunday 15th August
BHF Weymouth Bay Swim, Dorset
Another of the British Heart Foundation events and some 500 swimmers expected this year as in 2009. It is a one-mile swim starting at Pavilion End. There is a suggested minimum of £60 in sponsorship for BHF.
Sign up: fees are £10 for adults and £5 for children; under 16s need to be accompanied by an adult.
Sunday 15th August
International Birdman Swim, Worthing, Sussex.
First held in 2009, a rare chance to swim either 1km or 2km before the zany aviators leap off the pier, which was watched by 25,000 last year. A lunchtime start with an anticipated finish against the tide.
Sign up: fees are £12 or £15.
Sunday 15th August
River Nene races, Oundle, Northants.
This is a series of river races over distances of 1, 2 and 3 miles. No wetsuits are allowed and the start is 2pm.
Sign up: the entry fee is £15 to include certificates, medals and tea. For more information and entries, please contact Jeremy on jlhunter@mac.com.
Saturday 21st August
British Gas Great Scottish Swim, Strathclyde Park, Lanarkshire
The third 1-mile swim in the Great Swim series, and the biggest outdoor swim in Scotland. In waters of about 15 degrees, so wetsuits are advised (and available for hire online). Suitable for all and some 1,500 swimmers in 2009, leaving in groups of 200 at 30-minutes intervals from 9am. Lovely woodland, wetlands and parkland as the setting.
Sign up: more details and entry available at www.greatswim.org . Minimum age 16. Cost £25 to include hat, timing chip, medal and T-shirt.
Saturday 21st August
A Dip in the Dales, Semerwater Nr Hawes, North Yorkshire
A one mile open water in Semerwater - Yorkshire's largest natural lake - near the beautiful Dales village of Hawes. This is a fundraising event for Sue Ryder Care. Swimmers will follow a triangular route around buoys placed approximately 500m apart. There will be parking nearby and secure changing facilities will be provided.
Registration is only £15 and places are limited, so please do register as soon as possible.
Entry includes training tips, sponsorship forms and a Sue Ryder Care swim cap which must be worn during the event. The event is open to swimmers of all abilities over the age of 18.
Sign up: Register online by visting www.suerydercare.org/adipinthedales
or call 0113 2033302 for more information.
Sunday 22 August
Burgh Island Race, South Devon
THIS EVENT IS NOW FULLY BOOKED UP!
A one mile Round the Island sea race organised by the Burgh Island hotel, a party pad for London society in the 1920s and 30s. Swimmers are now likely to enjoy the sight of beautiful rock formations and spider crabs rather than Agatha Christie or Noël Coward.
Sign up: the growing popularity of this once local race means the hotel now holds heats. The amateur heat is full but more experienced open water swimmers can still apply by emailing reception@burghisland.com.
Wednesday 25th August 2010
Swim South Lakes, Capernwray, Lancs
The last in a new series of three events aimed at seasoned swimmers and beginners alike. There are three distances, of 500m, 1,000m or 1,500m, at the spring-fed Capernwray Dive Site, which has officially the second-cleanest open water in the UK. Showers, BBQ, safety boat and scuba. 7pm start. Prizes promised.
Sign up: more details and link to entry form on their website. The cost is £18.50, with a goody bag, and numbers are limited to 150.
[TOP]
Saturday 4th September 2010
The Great Big OpenWaterSwim
A 3km swim in Dorney Lake. Good facilities and some 1,000 expected to take part. Only for those 18 or over at December 2010.
Sign up: entries cost £20. Details and form at www.humanrace.co.uk/.
Saturday 4th/Sunday 5th September
British Gas Great North Swim, Windermere, Cumbria
The last in the series of four one-mile swims across the country, now in its third year, and popular. 6000 took part in 2009 in the event, held over two days and set to appeal to swimmers of all abilities. The venue is Windermere, where the water is at its warmest at this time of year. The charities involved include Diabetes UK, Mind, the RNLI and the Swimming Trust; more to be found on the event website's Charities page.
Sign up: standard entries are sold out already but there are a few charity places left (Diabetes UK and Rainbow Trust). Over 16 only. Details are at www.greatswim.org.
Saturday 4th Sept 2010
Pissarro Great River Swim, Chiswick, London
This picturesque swim is the only race that is set in the tidal River Thames close to central London. The distance is 1km from Chiswick Bridge around Chiswick Eyot, with plans for a separate one-mile swim in 2010. Nearly 100 entrants last year. Expected temperatures in the river of 19˚ and and wetsuits are recommended. For strong swimmers only, with each swimmer allocated a canoeist for safety.
Sign up: fees are £10 and the closing date is 31st August 2010.
Sunday 5th September 2010 / 09:00am
Fowey Harbour Swim
Fowey, Cornwall
Help to raise money for the NSPCC by joining us in swimming across Fowey Harbour to Polruan and back. All participants must be able to swim 1200 metres comfortably and be fit and well on the day. The swim takes place at slack water and anyone in the water after one hour may be fished out by the safety crews.
Sign up: fees are £15 per adult; and, £5 per child (200 entrants limit). Visit www.foweyharbourswim.co.uk to sign up
Sunday 5th September 2010
Edinburgh Open Water Swimming Festival, Portobello/Musselburgh near Edinburgh
In an effort to help promote open water swimming for all, Edinburgh Racing together with the Triathlon section of Edinburgh Road Club are putting on the Edinburgh Open Water Swim Festival which is open to swimmers of all abilities.
The event will be based at Portobello Beach, which is a long sandy beach located a few kilometres East of downtown Edinburgh and is easily accessible by bus, bike, and car. Many groups regularly swim in the sea during the warmer months and the beach bustles with people and activity on a sunny day.
There will be three separate races ranging from a short 400m sprint to the much more challenging 2km sea swim crossing from Musselburgh Quay back to Portobello Beach, there will be a distance for most swimming abilities
Friday 9th September 2010
Swim to Bestival
A distinctive event to swim to a music festival, but one it is hard to find out about and limited to 10 or 20 people.
Sign up: contact them if you want to take part.
Saturday 11th September 2010
Breakthrough Lakes 10k, The River Dart Estuary.
This 10km endurance fundraising swim from the Outdoor Swimming Society is the first of it's kind: in a few years we expect it to be the aquatic equivalent of the London marathon. The most demanding charity challenge of the summer, the swim will raise funds for Breakthrough Breast Cancer.
Be part of one of the most exciting challenges of the summer: a 10K swim down one of Britain's most beautiful rivers.
The OSS Dart 10K is being held on the Dart Estuary on Sunday 12 September at 09:00(AM), and is a rare chance to take part in a supported swim on this special river.
Sign up: Register now for your place.
Sunday 12th September 2010
Sea Swim South Devon, Teignmouth Beach
A new event with 20o swimmers expected in this one-mile sponsored swim in the sea off Teignmouth Beach. The swim is helping to raise funds for the Rowcroft Torbay and South Devon hospice, with swimmers asked to raise as much sponsorship as possible.
Sign up: entry is £10 per person. Swimmers will receive a Sea Swim South Devon swim cap, a medal and something warm to eat after the swim. Call Laura on 01803 210835
Sunday 19th September 2010
The Agatha Christie Swim, Paignton, Devon
This is a one-mile swim hugging the stunning coastline near the famous writer's house at Greenway. It will start at the beach at Goodrington, and finish at Broadsands, a charming sandy beach lined with brightly coloured beach huts, where Agatha Christie herself used to like to bathe. The swim will be suitable both for competitive swimmers and those who prefer a more leisurely pace. It is part of the sixth Agatha Christie Festival and a fund-raiser for the Devon Air Ambulance service.
Sign up: contact Sophie.pierce@bbc.co.uk for more information, or see the Festival site at www.englishriviera.co.uk/agathachristie/festival.
24th September 2010
The Wales Swim
Friday 24th September 2010 - 2pm
North Beach | Tenby | Pembrokeshire
Wales is in hot competition with Scotland and Cumbria for having some of the best swimming in the country, and OSS members are cordially invited to a brand new event there on Friday 24th September which will tie off a very busy summer season of swimming. The Wales Swim is a 1500m and 3000m sea swim that takes place at North Beach, Tenby, Pembrokeshire - the cleanest beach in the country. The swim is open to all entrants from beginners to competent athletes, and part of a ‘Long Course Weekend' of sport which includes a sportive on the Saturday, which consists of a 40, 80 and 120 mile bike ride, and a marathon and half marathon the Sunday.
Plus, you'll be in the right next of the woods to cap the event off some wild swimming.
Entries cost £30 and Activity Wales are making a charitable donation of £5 to the OSS for every entry that comes from the society in support of our work, whether you're biking, running or swimming, so if you're going please quote OSS on your entry form. The more OSS swimmers who attend, the more we can put towards our map project, which will, in future years, carry thousands of places for you to swim on weekends away like this. 500 OSS bods in the area is their target for us..... !
To enter, see The Wales Swim..
For more information visit www.thewalesswim.com
Saturday 25th September 2010
Loch Muick, Balmoral Royal Estate
We are pleased to announce the first ever officially sanctioned mass public swim on the Balmoral Royal Estate. HRH Queen Elizabeth has given exclusive permission to use not only Loch Muick, but also the Estate grounds and facilities, for the swimming event.
2 mile swim - limted to 100 places
To secure your place on this once in a lifetime opportunity event, visit the website
Saturday 25th September 2010
Hospiscare One-Mile Swim, Roadford, Okehampton, Devon
This popular swim was begun in 2009 and organised to raise funds for Hospiscare, who provide specialist nursing care for people in their own homes. Set in one of Devon's more stunning lakes near Dartmoor, where there is a campsite. A triangular course of one mile. Open to experienced swimmers and novices, with an elite race before the main start. Wetsuits recommended, and compulsory if the water is below 15.5˚.
Sign up: registration £25 until 14 June, £27 thereafter.
NOT ON THE LIST? If you have a swim that is not on the list, or would like to arrange contra hyperlinks for your event, please send details (in the format shown) to Lee at team1@outdoorswimmingsociety.com.
COPYRIGHT OSS. This list is the intellectual property of the Outdoor Swimming Society. Feel free to link to it, and promote the OSS and its services to open water swimmers, but do not cut and copy it. The OSS is a not-for-profit and we value all relationships that benefit our swimmers. We always welcome positive feedback.
We are pleased to announce the first ever officially sanctioned mass public swim on the Balmoral Royal Estate. HRH Queen Elizabeth has given exclusive permission to use not only Loch Muick, but also the Estate grounds and facilities, for the swimming event
We are pleased to announce the first ever officially sanctioned mass public swim on the Balmoral Royal Estate. HRH Queen Elizabeth has given exclusive permission to use not only Loch Muick, but also the Estate grounds and facilities, for the swimming event
Register for this event >