The Wild Dart Swim and Aquathlon

Chip timing

Branded swim caps

Full water safety coverage

Prizes for all categories where sufficient numbers allow

Transport to Totnes from Ashrington and Sharpham before and after the start (optional purchase)

Change cubicles

Last year, we changed the format, so that swimmers could swim with the tide for the 5k, the whole way, getting out at Ashprington Point Field. As with previous years, you can enter the 2.5k or 5k swim, as well as a 7k, 10k and 15k aquathlon.

The 5k swim covers a #GoWithTheFlow, one way only swim from Totnes to Ashprington Point Field, starting near the Dart-Totnes Rowing Club on Steamer Quay.

The 2.5k swimmers start at the same place in separate waves (according to your predicted finishing time) but exit at Sharpham. Aquathloners will also exit at Sharpham, then move to a nearby transition area, before running the three miles back to the rowing club, following the cycle path above the Dart.

Swimming alongside the tow path and the reed beds, which line the Sharpham side of the river and the rolling hills on the left, which wind along towards Stoke Gabriel. You will take your first snake bend here, as the river takes a turn towards Sharpham.

You will know you’re approaching the Sharpham North Quay when you pass our event buoy and will soon after, catch sight of the small pontoon on your right, which is the 2.5k finish.

The 7k Aquathlon includes:

The 2.5k swim
The hilly 4.5k run
Through the picturesque vineyards at Sharpham and along the cycle track from Sharpham House to Moat Hill, turning left at The Steam Packet before crossing the bridge to Bridgetown and turning right in to Steamer Quay and the rowing club.

Key facts

The course suits road shoes.
All normal swim run kit will be permitted, except for tow floats.
Swimmers will be permitted to swim in their running shoes.
We will take your clearly labelled drop bags to the transition area at Sharpham from registration.

The 10k aquathlon includes:

The 5k swim to Ashprington Point and
A 5k run run along the cycle track from Sharpham House to Moat Hill, turning left at The Steam Packet before crossing the bridge to Bridgetown and turning right in to Steamer Quay and the rowing club.
All 5K swimmers will need to bring a drop back for the finish where changing cubicles will be erected in the finish field.
You will have to walk the 2Km back to Ashprington, as there is no vehicular access to Ashprington Point Field.
Key facts:

The course suits road shoes.
All normal swim run kit will be permitted, except for tow floats.
Swimmers will be permitted to swim in their running shoes.
A transition point will be provided at Ashprington Point and transition gear taken there from registration.

The 15k aquathlon takes runners up the hill from Sharpham House and down the road through Ashprington towards Bow Bridge before runners follow the Harbourne River to Beanleigh cross and back to Sharpham and then Totnes via the bicycle tracks. The run section is approximately 12k.

Key facts:

All normal swim run kit will be permitted, except for tow floats.
Swimmers will be permitted to swim in their running shoes.
We will take your clearly labelled drop bags to the transition area at Sharpham from registration.
Key facts:

All normal swim run kit will be permitted, including tow floats.
Swimmers will be permitted to swim in their running shoes.
NB: Times are subject to change but will be within an hour of times advertised.

There will be a team of safety kayakers, rescue boats and crews on hand throughout the swim.

No one will be more than 200m from a safety vessel.

We will be working closely with the safety team to ensure swimmers exit the slipway one at a time.

5k swimmers will not be permitted to exit at Sharpham, unless they are retiring.
In the event of the water temperature falling below 11.9ºC, a reduced swim course will be considered.

We will be allowing participants to swim without wetsuits, if the temperature is above 14 degrees.

If the water temperature is above 22 degrees Celsius wetsuits will be banned. Competitors will be notified of this at registration and in advance of the event where possible.

When permitted to do so by the event crew swimmers will enter the water via the stairs. Exact entry point is TBC. The event crew will use NCT chip timing to time each swimmer. Participants will be set off in two waves, which will be decided in conjunction with the harbourmaster’s office and the water safety team.

Registration will open at 6.30am at the Riverside Cafe in Steamer Quay TQ9 5YS or just outside. All swimmers will be able to collect their swim envelopes containing a wristband, timing chip and swim cap. We will walk you down to the start next to the rowing club.

All participants will be able to leave their kit at the start in an attended area at the rowing club. This year we will also encourage supporters to be on standby ready with warm garments.

For those of you who have built up an appetite, the Riverside Cafe will prepare food for you, either vegetarian or non vegetarian.

Camping is available at Ashprington Point Field, which we have booked out for Friday and Saturday night

Dartington campsite – This is one of our favourite camping sites near Totnes. (less than 2 miles out of Totnes). It’s fairly rustic but we think you’ll like it!

The magnificent Green Table Cafe is only half a mile away in the beautiful surroundings of Dartington estate.

£15pp per night. Camper vans are not permitted as it is a Heritage Site. Upper Drive, Dartington Hall, Totnes TQ9 6EE. 01803 847077

Camper Van Site

There is a camper van site just 200 metres away from the race start on Steamer Quay.

Other

Another camping option which does allow camper vans is at Broadleigh Farm between Totnes and Paignton. https://www.broadleighfarm.co.uk/find-us

There are several excellent B&Bs in and around Totnes, (We recommend The Old Forge, in Bridgetown just 400m from the start).

Or there are numerous Air BnB options in and around Totnes, which is an interesting quirky town to investigate by foot.

This is a new addition to our 2023 event. It takes the same course to Sharpham North Quay from Totnes.

Unless numbers increase significantly, Paddleboarders will now leave alongside Wave 1 swimmers. They can leave their boards at the transition area in the paddock at Sharpham but must make their own arrangements to collect these.

How do I know which wave I’m in?

The waves will be divided in two.

The 5k swimmers will go in the first wave
The 2.5k swimmers in the second approximately 15 minutes later.
Wave names will be finalised in the week before the event and sent to all participants.

Where can we register?

On the waterfront on Steamer Quay about 50 metres from the Riverside Cafe on Steamer Quay Totnes from 6.30am until 15 minutes before your swim wave starts.

How can I get my running shoes to the transition area?

Your shoes and wetsuit will be transported from the car park next to The Riverside Cafe and Sharpham, leaving the cafe car park at 5.15pm sharp.
All normal swim run kit will be permitted, except for tow buoys.
Swimmers will be permitted to swim in their running shoes. However bungie cords and flippers will NOT be permitted.
Colour coded labels will be give to you at registration, to affix to your bags.
You can if you wish, carry your running gear in a tow float, although this is not compulsory.
Do I have to wear a wetsuit?

If the river remains as warm as in previous years, we will be allowing participants to swim without wetsuits, if the recorded temperature is above 14 degrees.If it falls below 11.9 degrees, we will make wetsuits compulsory.

Do we have to have a drop bag for the 5k swim

Yes with your shoes in and change of clothes, as there is a 2k walk to Ashprington along a scenic dirt track.

How do I get my wet suit back from the transition area?

See above. The bus will return from Sharpham from approximately 6.30pm to 7.30pm

Will our warm clothes be taken to Sharpham for the 2.5k swim?

if you turn up with your drop bag with some warm clothes and a dry robe, we will take them to Sharpham in Bob the Bus, which leaves Steamer Quay at 5.15pm sharp.
Where can I park?

There is ample parking at the car park behind the rowing club and next to the Riverside Cafe on Steamer Quay, although there is a small charge, so please bring change.

Can I register on the day?

We’re afraid not.

Is the 5k swim finish at the same point as the other events?

No. Only the 5k swim finishes at Ashprington Point. All other events finish in Steamer Quay, except for the 2.5k swim which ends at Sharpham North Quay.

We’ll have a drop bag system straight from registration, so your bags and transition clothes will be taken to the transition point and sorted for you (you’ll be given a label and a rubble sack).
Most 5k swimmers have arraneged to take the morning bius to the start, so they can leave their clothes at the finish. But there are only limited places on this bus, which is a shuttle service.
Can I transfer my entry?

You can transfer up to 48 hours before the swim starts but NOT after this time. However we can not refund your entry if you can not make the swim.

Are there refreshments available?

Yes. There’s a cafe at Sharpham. Drivers should take the left most fork upon entering Sharpham. There is also all morning breakfast, cake, teas and coffees being served at the Riverside Cafe in Steamer Quay.

How do I get back from Sharpham?

There will be a bus service available from the cafe at Sharpham to the Waterside Cafe from approximately 8.30am onwards.

Are there any prizes?

Yes. Watch this space. The number of category prizes will depend on there being a sufficient number of entrants per category however.

Where can I stay?

There are several excellent B&Bs in and around Totnes, (We recommend The Old Forge, in Bridgetown just 400m from the start) as well as a camping field in Longmarsh, besides the rowing club for £10 pp per night and at Dartington. If you wish to camp at Longmarsh, please contact us at [email protected] so we can arrange for this. For camper vans, there is a camper van and motorhome site almost opposite the registration HQ at Steamer Quay, which also has warm showers.

Also check out https://www.visittotnes.co.uk/

Do we get anything for finishing?

Yes our lovely new designed bespoke medals (optional extras)

Will we be able to buy a t shirt on the day?

There will t shirts for sale the day from previous years

What are the individual leg breakdowns for the 7k and 15k Aquathlons?

The 7k is a 2.5k swim and a 4.5k run, while the 15k is a 2.5k swim and a 12.5k run.

Aquathlon Long

swim leg: 2.5k swim from Steamer Quay, Totnes to Sharpham North Quay
run leg: 12.5k run fromSharpham North Quay in a circular loop to Beenleigh Cross and back via Bow Bridge and the cycle track (Sharpham) to the finsh on Steamer Quay in Totnes.
Aquathlon Short

swim leg: 2.5k swim from Steamer Quay, Totnes to Sharpham North Quay
run leg: 4.5k run back to Steamer Quay in Totnes via the cycle track, Sharpham