Swimming Events Near Me

Swimming events in the UK take place in several different kinds of water, each providing a very different experience. Open-water races include lake, river and reservoir swims, with a few coastal events appearing on the calendar too. You’ll also find outdoor pool events at lidos, although these aren’t technically open-water swims. It’s worth having a look at the venue as well as the distance when you’re choosing an event, especially if you’re not yet comfortable with open-water swimming and would prefer a pool.

You can enter standalone swimming events without doing a triathlon. The UK calendar includes dedicated mass-start and point-to-point swims, alongside multisport festivals where swimming is one of several options. Some event weekends offer both. That means you can stick entirely to swimming, or use an event with an aquathlon or triathlon as a possible next step if you fancy adding another discipline later.

Entry prices vary based on the type of swim and the distance. Current options on Find a Race range from around £11 at the lower end to more than £160 for some entries. A lake swim, for example, will often cost much less than a point-to-point event, where the entry may also cover extra event logistics. Rather than comparing prices in isolation, check what the fee includes and what kind of swim you’re signing up for.

Everyone has different abilities and preferences, so it’s impossible to identify a universally easy event. If you’re just starting out, it’s probably best to pick a shorter distance in still water, rather than a longer swim in a lake or the sea. It ultimately depends on how comfortable you are with outdoor swimming and how fit you are.

Your next event could just be another swim with a little more distance, or you could add a second sport and try an aquathlon. You don’t have to jump straight from your first open-water event into a full triathlon. If it was the swimming itself that you loved, choosing a different setting can also change the challenge. Moving from a lake to a river, for example, gives you something new without adding another discipline.