Great North Swim

5.0 · 1 review
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  • Date Fri 11th June 2021 - Sun 13th June 2021
  • Location Brockhole, Windermere
  • Price £19.00 - £89.00
  • Races 6 races
  • Distances 5km, 10km

Event summary

The Great North Swim, organised by Great Run, is set to take place from Friday 11th June to Sunday 13th June 2021 at Windermere in Cumbria. This iconic open water swim event will feature a reduced capacity and modified timetable to ensure COVID-secure procedures are followed for the safety of participants, spectators, and crew. With a range of distances available to suit all levels and abilities, participants can enjoy a weekend of open water swimming in the breathtaking Lake District. The event will also include an event village with exhibitor stands, food stalls, and activities for all ages. The return of the 10k distance is a highlight of this year's event, although swimmers will need to swim self-supported due to current Covid-19 guidelines. We can't wait to welcome back participants for a memorable weekend of swimming and outdoor fun!

Great North Swim

Fri 11th June 2021 - Sun 13th June 2021

A person wearing a yellow swim cap, goggles, and a wetsuit is swimming in open water and giving two thumbs up while smiling. The water appears dark and rippling around them.

Organiser's Description

The UKs original open water swim event will return to Brockhole on Windermere on Friday 11 - Suday 13 June 2021.

The event will follow strict COVID-secure procedures, ensuring the safety of participants, spectators and Great Swim crew. As such we will be operating to a reduced capacity and a slightly different timetable to previous years.

It will be a fantastic weekend of open water swimming in the stunning Lake District. With distances to suit all levels and abilities you can enjoy a weekend in the great outdoors.

The event will see the return of the popular event village, complete with exhibitor stands, pop-up food stalls and activities & games for all ages.

It’s been a year and a half since we saw the high-fiving celebrations with friends and family, well-earned medals being worn with pride and beaming smiles on faces. We can’t wait to see you all again!

We are delighted to be able to open the 10k distance for swimmers in 2021, however there is a notable change. Having reviewed the event in light of the current Covid-19 guidance, we are unable to offer a feed station. As this is an endurance event swimmers will have to agree to swim self-supported. This will mean using a mandatory tow float device such as this, to carry water and appropriate food. Each swimmer must tow their own float, and these will be inspected at check in. If there is a notable change in Covid-19 guidance then this policy may be reviewed.

NB - By entering the 10k event you agree that you will swim with a tow-float containing any nutrition you require to complete your 10k swim.

Races

  • Swim 250

    Fri, Sat, or Sun

    £19.00

    CLOSED
  • Half Mile

    Fri, Sat, or Sun

    £39.00

    CLOSED
  • 1 Mile

    Fri, Sat, or Sun

    £44.00

    CLOSED
  • 2 Miles

    Fri or Sun

    £52.00

    CLOSED
  • 5 Km

    Fri or Sun

    £59.00

    CLOSED
  • 10 Km

    Fri or Sun

    £89.00

    CLOSED
Location

Over the last decade the event has grown from just 3,000 swimmers to almost 10,000 and our new location at Brockhole on Windermere allows us to continue to improve the John West Great Swim experience for participants and spectators alike.

Activities for your support squad

With adventure playgrounds, soft play, arts and crafts and much more, there's plenty for the whole family.

Fuelling up

Brockhole has a great selection of its own food outlets to suit all tastes and budgets. Ingredients are locally sourced where possible, and skilfully prepared by their experienced team of chefs. There’ll also be a wide range of independent local food producers on site especially for the John West Great North Swim weekend.

Brockhole is also dog friendly but please keep your furry friends on the lead and out of the water. Find out more at www.brockhole.co.uk

Wetsuit Policy

Wetsuit use is optional at all John West Great Swim events for water temperatures of 15⁰C or above. Swimmers choosing not to wear a wetsuit MUST use an approved high visibility tow float, swimmers wearing wetsuits can also choose to swim with a tow float. This only applies to swimmers aged over 16 years old. Swimmers aged under 16 will be required to wear a wetsuit.

We’ve teamed up with 2XU to provide a wetsuit hire service, available from late March. More details coming soon.

Parking

Make sure you plan your travel ahead of the weekend and leave plenty of time to get to the start and prep for your swim.

There is no parking at Brockhole unless you've pre-paid for a place, however there are parking options in Ambleside and Bowness on Windermere. We recommend making use of the regular bus and ferry services or choose to walk to the venue.

Great North Swim 250

If you’re keen to try an open water swim, but don’t know where to start, the John West Great North Swim250 event is ideal. It's perfect for new new or nervous swimmers, families, and children aged 8 and over, where you can literally test the water and get a feel for swimming in the great outdoors.


What is it?
250 metres (the equivalent of 10 lengths of a standard 25 metre pool) of open water swimming/splashing/doggy-paddling in the bay area of Windermere.

Please note: Wetsuits are compulsory and every child aged 11 and under must be accompanied by one adult (per child). Anyone aged 18+ years old is classified as an adult.

Reviews

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5.0

1 review

NT
Nyall

·5 years ago

Shame about the weather. I’ve done the Great Scottish Swim organised by the same people and like that one this swim was a really very well run event with lots of swimmers involved, plenty of safety crew and a good fun atmosphere. You get your result immediately and plenty of places to celebrate afterwards. The tricky weather shortened the mile circuit which was a shame but totally understandable. Definitely going again next year although I’ll be sure to be better prepared for how cold it can be in Windermere!

Location

Brockhole, Windermere, UK

Who's In

See who else did this event

Claire Poole

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