What swimming events are we looking forward to in 2026?
From ice swimming to the balmy Adriatic, an end-to-end lake swim to dipping toes back into event swimming after a long break: we asked the Outdoor Swimmer team and writers what events they’re looking forward to in 2026
The length of Lake Annecy, France
“Like many things in my life, I stumbled upon Lake Annecy. I drove past Annecy on my way back from Chamonix last Easter. After a quick google search, I walked to one of the beaches whilst my family was looking for places to eat and walk around. The water was pristine and looked so inviting that I asked my husband to record my swim and half an hour on I was still swimming buoy to buoy. After careful research and support from my swim friends, I have a date booked to swim the length of Annecy with another swim buddy in August 2026. Together we will cover the distance in a two person relay. The swim event will be ours to tailor and master – all we need is training, preparation and a pinch of good luck.”
Jharna Kumawat, contributor
Winter Swimming World Championships, Finland
“I am very excited to be travelling to Oulu, Finland for the Winter Swimming World Championships in March. This is partly because it’s the first international ice swimming event I’ve been to since Slovenia in 2020, weeks before the world was shut down by Covid. But it’s also because the location is an ice swimmer’s dream. We’ll be competing under the Northern lights, swimming in a pool cut out of the ice-bound marina in a country with an incredible ice swimming history. It’ll be my shortest swim event of 2026 – 25 metres freestyle and 50m breaststroke – but, with water temperatures of -1C, it’ll also be the most thrilling.”
Rowan Clarke, features writer
Dipping my toes back in at the Great North Swim
“For me, outdoor swimming has always been about experience, exploring new places and connecting with people rather than a competitive thing, which is surprising as I’m competitive about most other things! If someone at the gym tells me their bench press PB, I’ll quietly work towards beating it, and don’t get me started on board games or badminton. That said, I feel like I’m ready to dip my toes back into event swimming in 2026. Keeping the same values in mind – for the experience, to explore and to swim with friends – I’m planning to take on the Great North Swim in Windermere this coming June. I haven’t decided if I’ll go for the 2-mile or 5km distance, let’s see what I can do in the pool this winter!”
Jo Tinsley, Gear & Environment Editor
Swimming in the balmy Adriatic at UltraSwim 33.3
“I’m not sure yet which events I’m most looking forward to next year, but I expect they will be a significant feature of my summer. A few years ago, I did 16 different open water events in one season. I like the challenge of swimming a range of distances and in different water types, so I will aim for variety. I will also do some pool swimming events and hopefully a couple of swimruns. In October, I will be leading a Pre-camp at UltraSwim 33.3 #16 Montenegro and doing the swim after. That camp and event was one of my 2025 highlights, so I expect it will feature near the top again.”
Simon Griffiths, founder & publisher
Use our Events Listings to find your 2026 event swim.
Jo Tinsley
Jo is the Gear Editor for Outdoor Swimmer and also writes news and features for the website. A keen open water swimmer and long-distance walker, she loves seeking out lakes and lidos close to her home in the Mendip Hills, Somerset. She is the author of The Slow Traveller, editor and founder of independent magazine, Ernest, and has previously tested outdoor clothing and kit for BBC Countryfile Magazine, BBC Focus and Ernest Journal.
