Endurance swimming and activism: a towpath perspective on the Thames Relay

Outdoor Swimmer reader Lucy Young braved the rain to watch the final stage of the Surfers Against Sewage Thames Relay

Between the 1st and 4th of September, 2025, a team of world-class swimmers swam a non-stop relay down the River Thames, covering more than 200 km in 3 days. Lucy Young witnessed them finishing the non-tidal section at Teddington Lock, where they had a brief break to wait for the tide.

A worthy challenge

It was great to join this monumental relay in the closing stages, albeit on the tow path, not in the water. Having heard first hand about the plan when team member Toby Robinson visited Teddington lock earlier in the Summer, I’d been on weather watch all week. When this intrepid group set off in Lechlade, it must have felt like an immense swimming challenge ahead, but they perhaps didn’t quite know what else was in store. Heavy rain and water quality concerns were on the horizon (these actually prompted a compulsory pause in the swim), and I suspect it quickly became obvious that sleep deprivation and cumulative fatigue were going to be defining features of this challenge. That certainly didn’t dampen their resolve, though, and it is perhaps apt that it turned into an ordeal against the elements; a fitting reminder that the forces acting against us in the bid to improve the water quality of the Thames are potent and not always predictable.

Support crew struggles

It was definitely a brutal week to be in (and out) of the river. Battering rain showers and strong winds must have slowed progress, and the risk of sewage spills clearly became a growing concern. By the time I spotted a collection of support crew members (plus Calum Maclean, who’d just finished a swimming stint) at Molesey Lock, I could see that the elements had pushed them hard. Colleen Blair had already set off under Hampton Court Bridge with the characteristic determination of a hardened open water pro, and she held her stroke and her nerve as a group of skiffs rowed past. The sun came out in this next stretch to Kingston Bridge, but Colleen’s safety boat was still struggling against the wind, and the crew admitted they had no dry clothes between them.

Relief

Calum switched back in for the final stretch from Kingston, and there was just time for one last heavy downpour before the welcome reception at Teddington Lock (complete with cake trolley from the Teddington Bluetits). Finishing looked to be a relief rather than a moment of wild celebration, but that was perhaps fitting too, as this was a team with a job to complete, a tide to catch and a petition to present to parliament. They certainly didn’t pause for long before setting off on the final stretch, swimming to Putney, and then on by boat to Westminster.

Team effort

I only had a snapshot of this epic challenge, but it was inspirational to see these elite swimmers using their talent in the water, and their influence, to increase the pressure on the government, local authorities and water companies. This great team effort from swimmers and support crew alike was heart-warming to witness, and I enjoyed my unexpected chat with Hector Pardoe. He was rocking his Welsh trunks at the time, and sauntering down the tow path when I asked him if all his swim training had prepared him for the challenge. He instantly laughed and said: “not really, I think my partying prepared me more for the lack of sleep!” Maybe not what his coaches wanted to hear, but it was such a natural response that it made me smile.

The swimmers were: