Selkie Henley Classic
HS
From Henley Swim
Sunday 13th July 2025
Past event
04:00
Henley-on-Thames
Event summary
Get ready for an unforgettable swimming experience at the Selkie Henley Classic, organized by Henley Swim, taking place on Sunday, July 13th, 2025, in the picturesque Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire. This iconic event features a thrilling 2.1km upstream swim along the world-famous Henley Royal Regatta rowing course, where participants will immerse themselves in the beauty of the Thames as the sun rises.
The Selkie Henley Classic is a unique opportunity to swim on this historic stretch of water, exclusively closed to boat traffic, ensuring a safe and serene environment for all swimmers. As you glide past iconic landmarks like the Barn Bar, Phyllis Court, and the Members’ Grandstand, you'll be treated to breathtaking views that are simply unmatched. This event, now in its 21st year, draws returning swimmers year after year, creating a vibrant and exhilarating atmosphere. After your swim, enjoy a delightful breakfast and coffee, celebrating your achievement alongside fellow swimmers. Don't miss your chance to be part of this extraordinary event—register now and experience the magic of the Selkie Henley Classic!
The Selkie Henley Classic is a unique opportunity to swim on this historic stretch of water, exclusively closed to boat traffic, ensuring a safe and serene environment for all swimmers. As you glide past iconic landmarks like the Barn Bar, Phyllis Court, and the Members’ Grandstand, you'll be treated to breathtaking views that are simply unmatched. This event, now in its 21st year, draws returning swimmers year after year, creating a vibrant and exhilarating atmosphere. After your swim, enjoy a delightful breakfast and coffee, celebrating your achievement alongside fellow swimmers. Don't miss your chance to be part of this extraordinary event—register now and experience the magic of the Selkie Henley Classic!
Selkie Henley Classic
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Event information
The course is a unique, straight line, point-to point-swim (ie no turns) and takes advantage of the boomed course of the Henley Royal Regatta. The swim is upstream, the strength of the stream varies from year-to-year, ensuring that no two events are the same.
All swimmers will receive a comprehensive pre-event information pack with everything they need to know approx 6 weeks before the event. Race packs can be picked up the day before or early on the morning of the swim. All finishers will receive a medal.
Free parking is available onsite. Traffic is never a problem at this time in the morning!
The Selkie Henley Classic is hosted at Temple Island Meadows RG9 3DD, which is just one mile from Henley town centre. Parking is available at the event venue.
Use postcode RG9 3DD
Event well sign posted from Henley town centre and from White Hill
Event well sign posted from Henley town centre and from White Hill
The Selkie Henley Classic swim is a River Thames swimming event and has several wave options to choose from.
Swimming on the Henley Regatta course is a privilege and we are very grateful for the support we receive. In return we have to be clear of the river by 0630 so it is important that you select the correct wave based on your anticipated swim time.
Please remember that it is an upstream swim so be realistic with your time and err on the side of caution.
WAVE 1 (Juniors and Schools)
Juniors (age 14-17 on 29th June 2025) and School swimmers will automatically be put in this wave
Junior swimmers will be set off slightly in advance of the sporting wave.
WAVE 2 (Sporting)
Select this wave if you wish to swim at leisure or alongside friends.
WAVE 3
Select this wave if you comfortably average between 2 mins 15 secs and 2 mins 30 secs per 100m during a distance swim.
WAVE 4
Select this wave if you comfortably average between 2 mins and 2 mins 15 secs per 100m during a distance swim.
WAVE 5
Select this wave if you comfortably average between 1 min 45 secs and 2 mins per 100m during a distance swim.
WAVE 6 (Performance)
Select this wave if you wish to race hard (likely to be in the top 100 swimmers) and average below 1min 45 secs per 100m during a distance swim.
Teams – There is one team competition. A team can be made up of any combination of male or female swimmers and any number. The four fastest times will qualify for the competition. Create or join a team during the entry process
Swimming on the Henley Regatta course is a privilege and we are very grateful for the support we receive. In return we have to be clear of the river by 0630 so it is important that you select the correct wave based on your anticipated swim time.
Please remember that it is an upstream swim so be realistic with your time and err on the side of caution.
WAVE 1 (Juniors and Schools)
Juniors (age 14-17 on 29th June 2025) and School swimmers will automatically be put in this wave
Junior swimmers will be set off slightly in advance of the sporting wave.
WAVE 2 (Sporting)
Select this wave if you wish to swim at leisure or alongside friends.
WAVE 3
Select this wave if you comfortably average between 2 mins 15 secs and 2 mins 30 secs per 100m during a distance swim.
WAVE 4
Select this wave if you comfortably average between 2 mins and 2 mins 15 secs per 100m during a distance swim.
WAVE 5
Select this wave if you comfortably average between 1 min 45 secs and 2 mins per 100m during a distance swim.
WAVE 6 (Performance)
Select this wave if you wish to race hard (likely to be in the top 100 swimmers) and average below 1min 45 secs per 100m during a distance swim.
Teams – There is one team competition. A team can be made up of any combination of male or female swimmers and any number. The four fastest times will qualify for the competition. Create or join a team during the entry process
At the Selkie Henley Classic, elite adult swimmers participate in the Performance wave. All swimmers that are 17 or under on the day of the race will swim in the Junior wave.
Wetsuits are optional for all swimmers.
Wetsuits are optional for all swimmers.
Full timings are given in the information pack. The general rule is to aim to arrive at the event venue around 75 minutes before your wave time.
Parking is available at the venue
Toilets and changing facilities will be provided
Hot & cold drinks & snacks will be available at the main event area
The venue will be open on Saturday afternoon for anyone who would like to give themselves a little longer in bed on Sunday, by collecting their race packs on Saturday afternoon.
There will be food and drink available to purchase on the Saturday afternoon and evening, for campers and for swimmers collecting their race packs.
The food vendors will also be open for breakfast from around 3am to the end of the event at around 9am.
Parking is available at the venue
Toilets and changing facilities will be provided
Hot & cold drinks & snacks will be available at the main event area
The venue will be open on Saturday afternoon for anyone who would like to give themselves a little longer in bed on Sunday, by collecting their race packs on Saturday afternoon.
There will be food and drink available to purchase on the Saturday afternoon and evening, for campers and for swimmers collecting their race packs.
The food vendors will also be open for breakfast from around 3am to the end of the event at around 9am.
Basic camping will be available on the Saturday night. The cost is £22.50 per person in either a tent, campervan or motorhome and can be pre-booked when registering for the event.
Well behaved dogs are allowed at the campsite as long as they are kept under control, on a lead, and are cleaned up after.
On-the-day camping may be available but will be more expensive.
Well behaved dogs are allowed at the campsite as long as they are kept under control, on a lead, and are cleaned up after.
On-the-day camping may be available but will be more expensive.
The water temperature at the Classic depends upon both the outside temperature and the quantity of rainfall in the days and weeks running up to the event. It is therefore very difficult to predict.
Based on previous years, at the end of June, we would expect the water to be between 17 and 19 degrees centigrade
Based on previous years, at the end of June, we would expect the water to be between 17 and 19 degrees centigrade
The venue will be open on Saturday afternoon for anyone who would like to give themselves a little longer in bed on Sunday, by collecting their race packs on Saturday afternoon.
There will be food and drink available to purchase on the Saturday afternoon and evening, for campers and for swimmers collecting their race packs.
The food vendors will also be open for breakfast from around 3am to the end of the event at around 9am.
The food vendors will also be open for breakfast from around 3am to the end of the event at around 9am.
Event video
Organiser's description
NOW ON EARLY BIRD PRICE!
There is no swim like the Selkie Henley Classic! Swim the world-famous Henley Royal Regatta rowing course as the sun rises over the Thames. This is a 2.1km upstream swim on this unique and iconic stretch of the Thames.
Henley Swim is privileged to be able to stage the Selkie Henley Classic on this reach of the Thames. This is the ONLY time you will be able to have a safe supervised swim on the course, while it is completely closed to boat traffic.
The event starts with a short walk to the official regatta start, where the first swimmers will enter the water, just as the sun is rising. This River Thames swimming experience takes you past all the famous Henley Regatta landmarks including the Barn Bar, Phyllis Court and the Members’ Grandstand. As the church and bridge come into sight in the early morning sun, you reach the end of your swim at the Official Regatta Finish.
After a short walk back to the event area you are welcomed by the smell of coffee and breakfast, into the hub of swimmers exhilarated by what they have accomplished before most of the country wakes up.
The Selkie Henley Classic is a swim like no other, and now in it's 21st year! Many return year after year. Give it a go, and experience for yourself the unique atmosphere of this event. Don’t miss out, register NOW!
There is no swim like the Selkie Henley Classic! Swim the world-famous Henley Royal Regatta rowing course as the sun rises over the Thames. This is a 2.1km upstream swim on this unique and iconic stretch of the Thames.
Henley Swim is privileged to be able to stage the Selkie Henley Classic on this reach of the Thames. This is the ONLY time you will be able to have a safe supervised swim on the course, while it is completely closed to boat traffic.
The event starts with a short walk to the official regatta start, where the first swimmers will enter the water, just as the sun is rising. This River Thames swimming experience takes you past all the famous Henley Regatta landmarks including the Barn Bar, Phyllis Court and the Members’ Grandstand. As the church and bridge come into sight in the early morning sun, you reach the end of your swim at the Official Regatta Finish.
After a short walk back to the event area you are welcomed by the smell of coffee and breakfast, into the hub of swimmers exhilarated by what they have accomplished before most of the country wakes up.
The Selkie Henley Classic is a swim like no other, and now in it's 21st year! Many return year after year. Give it a go, and experience for yourself the unique atmosphere of this event. Don’t miss out, register NOW!
Location
Remenham Lane, Henley-on-Thames, RG9 3, United Kingdom
Selkie Henley Classic
HS
Henley Swim
Henley Swim has a range of open water swimming events, covering distances from 200m to 13km, at different times of day, upstream and downstream, wetsuit and non-wetsuit, from age 8 to 88. We cater for the requirements of everyone from the novice to the experienced swimmer.
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