Swimming’s most joyful event?
Did you think swimming events weren’t for you? Think again. Rowan Clarke chats to Level Water about their unique swim festival events that celebrate the joy of wild swimming.
A growth in outdoor swimming means more open water events and challenges. While there are more distance events to choose from, there is also more variety than ever before. This is exciting for us outdoor swimmers who want to take part in different kinds of challenges.
Whether you’re new to swimming outdoors, discovered it during the pandemic or have been swimming and dipping for years, the associated health, wellbeing and community benefits are often life-changing. So, it’s little wonder that we want to find new, interesting and joyful ways to celebrate swimming outdoors and our brilliant communities.
“‘I’ve competed in events all around the world. Last couple of years I’ve started doing my own thing as it’s all become corporate nonsense and decided not to do ‘events’ anymore,” says Rachel. “We decided to come swim [at the Wild Swim Relay] as a bit of fun but I bloody loved it.”
Maximising joy
Enter Level Water and its wonderful, jubilant Wild Swim Relays. Created to maximise the social, community-centred joy of swimming outdoors, these events are true celebrations. Festival-like weekends away with friends, camping, chatting, cake and a shared purpose, there’s no distance to achieve, no winners or losers, no timing chips, no mass starts. The format is simple: you take turns swimming for an hour from midday on Saturday until midday on Sunday. Every hour, everyone gathers around the swim entrance to cheer their teammates out of the water and encourage the next swimmer in.
“If you want it to be relatively easy, then assemble a team of eight and swim for three hours each,” says Level Water’s Hayley. “To make it hard, bring a team of four and swim six times each, never resting more than three hours – but five to six people is the sweet spot!”
The time of our lives
It’s a weekend of swimming and camping. Expect fire pits, guitars, marshmallows, fireworks, flares, cowbells and fancy dress. Level Water’s lovely staff are infectiously fun and friendly, and the other swimmers make the atmosphere warm and welcoming. You’ll make friends quickly as you set up tents together, share cake and Vaseline, and compete for the coveted sunset and sunrise swim times.
“I loved the camaraderie, with people cheering on everyone, even at 2am,” said Helen, who took part in the relay last year. “It’s such an incredible community to be part of – watching everyone going in for that last hour made me emotional! The night swims were my favourite moment as it was so magical and unlike anything I’d ever done before.”
First steps
For many swimmers, the Wild Swim Relay is the perfect introduction to outdoor swimming events. Why? Because you get to set your own speed and distance, plus the hourly slots means that you have new and seasoned swimmers to support you. You’re never far from the shore if you are tired or cold, and there’s constant water safety cover, including kind and encouraging kayakers out on the lake with you.
“‘The atmosphere was brilliant. The event itself is unique in being a personal and team endurance challenge rather than about speed or distance,” said John. “Although a few teams clearly wanted it to be competitive, the Level Water team was fantastic in promoting the inclusive, not a race message. The nighttime swims really are so special but also getting to swim as a team together was brilliant.”
Teamwork makes the dream work
The heart of the Wild Swims is camaraderie. Many new friendships are forged, and if you ever find it tough or are nervous about a night swim, there are dozens of friendly and supportive faces.
“You never swim alone,” explains Hayley. “You’ll have a supportive team on the bank and many heads-up breaststrokers looking for a chat.”
Level Water, the charity that organises the event, raises money for swimming lessons for children with disabilities, so the swims are very inclusive – you’ll often see children, grandparents, new swimmers and disabled swimmers.
“The event raises money to provide one-to-one swimming lessons for disabled children,” says Hayley. “When it gets hard, there is no better motivation than to remember the children you are helping and the challenges they face. By taking part, you are joining a larger movement that believes every child deserves the joy and freedom of swimming.”
Setting your own goals
A big reason for taking part in a challenge or event is having something in the calendar to help you and your team to get motivated. We all know the benefits of swimming, so working towards a goal makes it easier to stay on plan, build up your fitness, and practice swimming outdoors in 2025.
“‘I’ve competed in events all around the world. Last couple of years I’ve started doing my own thing as it’s all become corporate nonsense and decided not to do ‘events’ anymore,” says Rachel. “We decided to come swim [at the Wild Swim Relay] as a bit of fun but I bloody loved it.”
Join in
Find a Wild Swim Relay near you:
- Visit the Level Water Website to find your closest venue
- Find your team
- Sign up on the website as a Team Captain
Captains sign up free in March using the code CAPFREESWIM
