Go to Great Lengths at Sea Lanes Brighton

Team Domenica launch Brighton’s first inclusive swim challenge: a chance to go to ‘Great Lengths’ for young people with learning disabilities. 

A ‘challenge’ looks different to everyone. Getting into the water could be a huge achievement, or swimming five kilometres could feel like a breeze. This is why pioneering Brighton-based charity  Team Domenica are launching a swim challenge that aims to be truly inclusive. 

Great Lengths, taking place at the UK’s first National Outdoor Swim Centre, Sea Lanes Brighton, on Sunday 24 September is intentionally not a competition – instead, participants can choose from a range of distances, up to and including 5k. It is pitched as an ideal opportunity to challenge yourself while raising money to support young people with learning disabilities. 

Brighton-based organisers, Team Domenica, support young people with learning disabilities in reaching their full potential. Great Lengths is designed to raise the much needed funds to support their programmes and help their young people – their candidates – find paid employment across Sussex.

In the spirit of inclusion

“We’re so excited to be holding this exciting new swim challenge at Sea Lanes Brighton. The idea to hold a swimming event was originally inspired by so many of our candidates, staff and community who, living by the sea, naturally have a passion for swimming,” said Greg van Heeswijk, Head of Fundraising at Team Domenica. “The physical and health benefits are second to none, and as one of the most inclusive sports out there, it was the best possible choice for a fundraising event.

“In the spirit of inclusion, we decided not to make this a competition against each other, but a personal challenge. The aim of the event – other than to have a great time – is to raise the funds that Team Domenica needs to provide young people with learning disabilities with the skills, confidence and independence they need to find paid employment. We receive less than half of our funding from the state, so we are encouraging anyone with a passion for swimming to sign up and raise the funds we need to give young people the best possible chance at reaching their full potential.”

Distances: 50m | 100m | 400m | 800m | 1.6k (1 mile) | 2.5k | 5k (3 miles) | ‘Dip your toe’ (getting into the water or swim less than 50m). Find out more.