Have you been thinking of ways to increase your outdoor swimming this year? Or perhaps you have been an avid cold water dipper and now want to increase your time in the water to incorporate swimming for longer periods of time. We have compiled a list of some amazing open water swimming events around the UK to inspire you to take on the challenge of an outdoor swim event in 2024.
1. Level Water Bantham Boomerang - 6th July 2024
All of Level Water's Swim Collective events encompass an incredibly friendly, non-competitive and welcoming atmosphere, especially if this is your first outdoor swimming event. The Bantham Boomerang is a fantastic first event to consider as you can choose to swim from 3km to 10km - starting on Bantham Beach, you just have to swim out and then turn around when the tide turns and get boomeranged back into shore!
2. Arla Great North Swim - 7th-9th June 2024
Another brilliant weekend for beginners up to established long distance swimmers, the Arla Great North Swim takes place in the iconic Lake Windermere. Sign up to swims ranging from 250m to 10km, or even their swimrun event on the Saturday and inspire yourself with the incredible atmosphere.
3. Henley Swim Thames Marathon/Half Marathon - 11th August 2024
Set between the two beautiful Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire towns of Henley-on-Thames and Marlow, you can choose between the half marathon distance (approx 5.5km) and the marathon distance (approx 13km). Supporters can follow you along the river path and both events finish at the event village in Marlow.
4. Love Sports Events London Dock2Dock - 14th September 2024
Ever wanted to swim in the Thames in central London? Now is the chance. You can get the whole family involved and choose from 1.5km to 15km distances to swim in London docks.
5. Level Water Dart 10k - 7-8th September 2024
We couldn’t end this list without mentioning the first marathon distance swim in the UK and the only one which you can only truly experience from the river itself. Starting at Totnes, Devon and ending at Greenway National Trust, this iconic event is a corker - especially if it is your first long distance swim! The tide will give you a helping hand, you can cling on to floating feed stations and you’ll bob down the river eating your jelly babies! There are still a few charity places left for this event and Level Water is a charity that is well worth raising money for.
We hope this has got you thinking about maybe switching out those pool lengths for some swimming at your local open water swimming spot this year. So set yourself a goal for 2024, get your friends and family involved and sign up to a challenge!
