Swim London

Swim London is a fast, tide-assisted point-to-point course through the heart of west London. The 10km route begins in Brentford, while the 5km starts in Barnes, with both distances finishing at Putney Embankment.

The event is timed around a favourable incoming tide, allowing swimmers to ride the fast-moving current downstream. This creates an exhilarating swimming experience and the opportunity to record a significantly quicker time than on a still-water course.

Along the way, swimmers will pass some of London’s most recognisable riverside landmarks, including Kew Gardens, Chiswick, Hammersmith Bridge and Craven Cottage. The Thames is a dynamic tidal environment, so participants should be confident and experienced in open water.

Zoom

Your entry includes everything needed to take part in a professionally organised, fully timed open-water event on the Thames.

Before the event, swimmers will receive regular updates and a detailed athlete pack covering training, equipment requirements, arrival information, start times, the course, safety procedures and what to expect on the river. We will also share water-quality updates and practical advice to help everyone arrive feeling prepared and confident.

On the day, entrants can expect:

* Organised registration and wave starts
* Electronic chip timing and an official result
* An official Swim London swimming cap
* Professional water-safety teams and support vessels throughout the course
* On-site event and medical support
* A finisher’s medal
* A memorable finish on Putney Embankment

Participants will need to bring their own wetsuit, if they choose to wear one, and a compulsory tow float. Full equipment requirements will be confirmed in the athlete pack.

• A rare opportunity to swim through London on the River Thames
• Choose between a tidal-assisted 5km or 10km course
• Swim past landmarks including Kew Gardens, Hammersmith Bridge and Craven Cottage
• Exclusive Swim London swim hat for every participant
• Bespoke Swim London finisher’s medal
• Prizes for age-category winners
• Electronic chip timing and an official race result
• Professionally managed water-safety operation with support vessels throughout
• Pre-event water-quality monitoring and detailed swimmer guidance
• An unforgettable finish on Putney Embankment
• Created by Olympic marathon swimmer Toby Robinson
• Inspired by London’s historic river-swimming heritage

Practical self-assessment.

Swim London is for capable open-water swimmers. Use these points to work out whether the event is right for you now — or a goal to build towards.

• You should be a capable open-water swimmer. Swim London should not be your first-ever open-water swim.
• You should be able to complete your chosen distance continuously.
• The Thames tide assists swimmers downstream, which is why the cut-offs are achievable.
• The 5 km is the more accessible option; the 10 km is intended for experienced distance swimmers.
• Tow floats are required. Wetsuits are optional, subject to final event-day guidance.
• Cut-offs are 2 hours (5 km) and 4 hours (10 km).
• Swimmers start in waves, based partly on expected pace.