The inaugural Swim London.

Sunday 6 September 2026. Swimmers took on the tidal Thames from Brentford and Barnes and finished at Putney Embankment, outside Imperial Boathouse.

Brentford to Putney: 10 kmBrentford to Putney
Barnes to Putney: 5 kmBarnes to Putney
Start waves across the day: 6Start waves across the day

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The day

One river, two distances, one finish.

The first 10 km wave left Brentford at 11:15 and the first 5 km wave left Barnes at 12:10, both riding the ebb tide down through West London. Swimmers passed Kew, Chiswick, Barnes and Hammersmith Bridge before turning in at Putney Embankment, outside Imperial Boathouse, where the first finishers came ashore between 13:00 and 14:00.

Thank you to every swimmer who put their trust in a first-year event, to the volunteers who ran registration, bag drop and the finish, to our professional safety crews on the water, and to the partners and river authorities who made an organised swim through the heart of London possible.

Gallery

Swim London 2026 in pictures.

Moments from the start lines at Brentford and Barnes, the swim through West London, and the finish at Putney.

Swimmers entering the Thames from the Barnes start pontoon as supporters watch from the wall above

Two swimmers celebrating outside Emanuel School Boat Club before the Barnes start

Swimmers stepping into the river at the Barnes start with safety kayaks waiting

Swimmers powering past Hammersmith Bridge with a safety kayak alongside

Swimmers gathered riverside for the safety briefing before the start

Hammersmith Bridge towering over two swimmers passing underneath

Aerial view of open-water swimmers stroking through the Thames

A pack of swimmers approaching Hammersmith Bridge on the tidal Thames

Swimmers spread across the Thames with Hammersmith Bridge behind them

Swimmers beneath Hammersmith Bridge on the Thames

Swimmers passing directly under the span of Hammersmith Bridge

Swimmers on the Thames in front of Fulham's Craven Cottage

Swimmers escorted by safety kayaks on the tidal Thames

Open-water swimmers spread across the width of the Thames

The compere on the microphone welcoming swimmers by the river

A swimmer emerging from the river at the finish

A finisher celebrating under the Swim London 10K finish arch at Putney

Swimmers beside the river with Hammersmith Bridge behind them

Swimmers celebrating together at the Putney finish

Swim London swim caps laid out before the start

Trophy presentation at the finish village

A group of swimmers celebrating after their Thames swim

Swimmers and supporters celebrating together after the swim

Aerial view of the Barnes start: the boat club, event village and start arch on the foreshore with kayaks and safety boats spread across the Thames

Swimmers in wetsuits and yellow Swim London 10K caps waiting together in the start pen before entering the water

Swimmers and brightly coloured tow floats crossing the Thames with the green ironwork of Hammersmith Bridge behind them

Swimmers rounding a large orange turn buoy on the Thames, escorted by safety kayakers in red event tops

The field of swimmers strung out across a wide stretch of the Thames past an orange marker buoy, with a safety boat standing by

Two swimmers in wetsuits celebrating at the finish, one raising a red Swim London cap above his head, with event crew behind them

Rows of Swim London finisher medals on red lanyards laid out ready to be handed to swimmers

Spectators cheering from the Imperial Boathouse balcony at Putney above a blue Swim London 10K banner

View & download all 2026 photos →

Race day 2026

What the day looked like.

Professionally organised
Permission-led delivery with an Event Management Plan, RAMS and insurance.
Professional swim-safety team
A professional safety lead and multiple safety boats on the river throughout.
Participant guide
Every registered swimmer received a full guide covering arrival, kit, safety, route and finish.
Finish at Putney Embankment
Swimmers finished among the rowing clubs at the Swim London event village.
Food and drink
Hot drinks, food and snacks were available to buy at the event village.
Music and awards
Music and award ceremonies at the finish in Putney.

Founding swimmers · 2026

What our swimmers said

The first Swim London brought swimmers together for an unforgettable journey through the capital.

“This was the best swim event I have taken part in. So well organised, safe, fast and fun.”

Louise Lee

10km swimmer

01 / 05

What’s next

Want to swim London yourself?

Swim London will return in 2027. Join the priority list to hear about the date and entries first. 2027 date to be announced.

Get 2027 Priority Access View 2026 results