Great East Swim

Swim250
The Swim250 is a great choice if you’re looking to try the open water for the first time, or if you’d like swim with the family.
- All 8 – 12 year olds must be accompanied by an adult
- Anyone over the age of 12 years old can take on the swim as an individual
- Wetsuits are compulsory

Half Mile
A great introduction to outdoor swimming, the ½ mile is the equivalent to around 32 lengths of a standard 25m pool. The average completion time to complete the ½ mile distance is approx 20 minutes.

1 mile
The 1 mile is suitable for swimmers of all abilities and is equivalent to 64 lengths of a standard 25m pool. The average completion time is approx 40 minutes. You can choose to enjoy a leisurely breaststroke while taking in the scenery or kick into crawl for a faster time.

2 miles
2 miles is the perfect event for open water swimmers looking for a longer challenge and who have maybe tried an open water swim before. A 2 mile swim is equivalent to around 125 lengths of a standard 25m pool and the average completion time is around 1 hour 15 minutes.

5 km
This distance is suited to experienced, confident swimmers looking to go that little bit further. A 5k swim is equivalent to around 200 lengths of a standard 25m pool. For this distance cut-off times apply: swimmers must be able to reach halfway (2500m) within 1 hour and finish within 2 hours. Generally the 5k takes in 3 laps of the standard 1 mile route.

10 km
The 10k marathon swim is suitable for regular swimmers who are capable and confident of taking on longer distances. Putting in the hours of training for this distance is highly recommended. The entry age is 18 years old and over (on event day) and anyone who enters must be able to swim 10k unaided, within 4 hours. This swim is generally 6 laps of the standard 1 mile course.

We've put together a comprehensive list of questions and answers around the Great East Swim.

WILL THERE BE CAR PARKING?
Priority Car Parking will go on sale closer to the time, with a variety of other transport options also available. We are working with the local transport partners to ensure there are a range of options to get to the event site. We will communicate with all entrants when the priority car parking goes on sale.

DO WE HAVE TO WEAR MASKS WHEN IN THE EVENT SITE?
Whilst plans are still to be finalised it is not anticipated that face masks will be compulsory around the general site, due to the open air nature of it. This will be confirmed closer to the event date based on wider Covid restrictions, as well as any areas where masks may be compulsory (such as public transport, etc).

WILL THERE BE HAND SANITIZER?
Hand sanitizer will be available around the event site.

CAN I TAKE SPECTATORS WITH ME, IF SO HOW MANY?
There are no specific plans to limit spectators coming to the event at present, however there will be areas within the event site itself that are reserved for swimmers only. At this stage we are not able to guarantee that friends and family will be able to view swimmers in the water, due to the nature of the event site.

WILL THERE BE AN EVENT VILLAGE?
We are hoping to deliver an exciting event village, including sponsors and partners, as well as food and activities for all.

WILL THERE BE A WARM UP?
The exact format of the warm up is yet to be confirmed, and will be communicated nearer the event date. We will of course be holding our usual safety briefings prior to each swim.

WHERE CAN SPECTATORS STAND?
At this stage we are unable to provide exact details of what viewing will be available for spectators and supporters.

HOW MANY PEOPLE IN A WAVE?
All waves will have sufficient time and space to assemble in a socially distanced manner, with 1m+ space for all. In addition swimmers will be slowly released over the start line to ensure distancing can continue in the water.

WILL PEOPLE STILL WRITE MY SWIM NUMBER ON MY HAND?
Our safety systems will undergo a full review to ensure they are in line with current Covid-19 guidelines. Safety of swimmers, spectators, volunteers and staff will be at the centre of any decisions.

WILL THERE BE THE SAME WATER SAFETY PROCEDURES IN PLACE I.E. KAYAKS,ETC?
Our safety systems will undergo a full review to ensure they are in line with current Covid-19 guidelines. Safety of swimmers, spectators, volunteers and staff will be at the centre of any decisions.

WHAT IF IT’S CANCELLED AGAIN?
If the 2021 event is cancelled we will automatically roll your place over into the subsequent staging of the event.