Still looking for a swim challenge to motivate your training this year?
Here are two events to choose from that can transform your swimming into positive action helping make sure millions of people access clean water
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As open water swimmers, we know the value of water firsthand. We’re lucky to be able to drink water fresh from the tap, use a nice clean loo and wash our hands without giving it a moment’s thought. These are everyday necessities we take for granted, yet there are millions of people around the world, like Miza (pictured below) that live without these essentials. Around 696 million people lack clean water close to home, 1.5 billion have no decent toilet of their own, and hundreds of millions more cannot access soap or safe hygiene.
The good news is, WaterAid works with communities to provide that essential access, building long-lasting water and sanitation systems, delivering hygiene education and partnering with governments and organisations to create long-lasting change. But they can’t do this without money. This is where we swimmers come in!
Your swimming can make a difference
If you’re still looking for that swim challenge to keep you motivated with your training this year, WaterAid has two exciting challenges you can sign up to in 2026: the WaterAid Swim Marathon (1 August – 24 October) and Swim Serpentine (19 September).
The WaterAid Swim Marathon challenge is to swim a half marathon (13 miles) or a full marathon (26 miles) over 12 weeks. It’s an ideal challenge if you’re looking to tackle a big distance over a set period of time, fitting your swims around work and swimming wherever you choose, whether it be your local indoor pool or your favourite wild swimming spot. Digital editor and novice swimmer Abi did the challenge last year and she found it was a great opportunity to work on her front crawl technique while fundraising for a cause she felt strongly about.
Swim Serpentine is an iconic summer London swim in London – if you sign up with WaterAid you’ll be taking on the 2-mile distance in the beautiful surroundings of Hyde Park’s Serpentine.
Raising just £200 through one of these challenges could build a household toilet in Bangladesh or install a touch-free handwashing facility in Zambia. Projects like this transform lives in these communities, improving health, safety and dignity for those who need it most.
Take the plunge
Since 2020, swimmers supporting WaterAid have raised over £200,000, meaning communities around the world have clean water, safe toilets, and life-changing hygiene education. Could you be one of those swimmers this year? Register your interest in the Swim Marathon challenge or secure a Swim Serpentine charity place with WaterAid. Every stroke you swim and every pound you raise will make a big impact!
To sign up for the WaterAid Swim Marathon visit wateraid.org/swim-marathon2026. To secure a Swim Serpentine charity place with WaterAid visit wateraid.org/swim-serpentine2026
Abigail Whyte
Abi writes swimming news stories and features for the Outdoor Swimmer website and manages the social media channels. She loves to swim, run, hike and SUP close to her home in Herefordshire. While she’s a keen wild swimmer, Abi is new to the world of open water events and recently completed her first open water mile. She has previously written for The Guardian, BBC Countryfile Magazine, BBC History Magazine and Ernest Journal.
