About
About Swim London: London-first, River-first, Athlete-led.
Swim London is a tide-assisted open-water event on the Thames, combining professional event standards, responsible safety planning and a cleaner-river mission.
Overview
About Swim London
Swim London is a tide-assisted open-water swimming event on the River Thames, giving capable swimmers the chance to take on a proper London river distance.
At the inaugural Swim London on Sunday 6 September 2026, swimmers moved with the tide from Brentford (10 km) or Barnes (5 km) to Putney, passing recognisable West London river landmarks along the way. The first 10 km wave left Brentford at 11:15 and the first 5 km wave left Barnes at 12:10, with the first swimmers coming ashore between 13:00 and 14:00 at Putney Embankment, outside Imperial Boathouse.
We are building Swim London because the Thames deserves to be seen as more than a backdrop. It is one of London’s great public spaces, and we believe it can play a bigger role in the city’s sporting, cultural and environmental future.
Our aim is to build a participation event that celebrates the river, raises standards for safe urban swimming and helps build momentum towards a cleaner, more swimmable future.
Experience
What to expect
Swim London is designed to be well-organised and unlike any other swim in the capital. This is a timed, tide-assisted river swim through a familiar stretch of the Thames, built for swimmers who want a proper London challenge.
The swim
Swimmers start in waves, with the first 10 km wave leaving Brentford at 11:15 and the first 5 km wave leaving Barnes at 12:10. Both distances swim downstream to Putney, using the tide to make a fast run down the river.
Along the way, swimmers pass recognisable West London river landmarks including Kew, Chiswick, Hammersmith Bridge and Craven Cottage, and sections of the Boat Race course.
Every swimmer wears a timing chip.
The support
The event is supported by a comprehensive safety team, with multiple boats on the river looking after swimmers throughout the course.
Tow floats are required for all swimmers. Wetsuits are optional.
There are no feed stations on the route, so swimmers should be prepared to complete their chosen distance continuously. If a swimmer needs to withdraw, they can exit early with support from the event safety team.
The standard
Swim London is open to swimmers aged 18 and over.
The 10 km is for swimmers who can confidently complete the full distance. The 5 km is the more accessible option for a shorter London swim challenge.
No formal proof of prior swims is required, but everyone entering should be confident of completing their chosen distance continuously.
The finish
The finish is at Putney Embankment, outside Imperial Boathouse, where swimmers arrive into the Swim London event village. In 2026 the first swimmers came ashore between 13:00 and 14:00.
The event village is a place to enjoy the atmosphere after the swim, with food and drink available to purchase, music and award ceremonies.
Spectators can watch from points along the river and follow the Thames Path towards the finish.
Swim London is built around the river. The Thames is the heart of the event, and this is a chance to take part in a proper London river swim.
Gallery
The spirit of the swim.
Moments from the river, the finish line, and the community that brings Swim London to life.
From the river
What people say
about Swim London.
From Olympians and swimming voices to the people who took on the Thames.
“Honoured to win the first modern Lords and Commons trophy after a 75-year hiatus. This event has a very bright future.”
“We made history in the Thames so that safe swimming can become the future. This first stroke was for clean water and the right for everyone to enjoy it.”
“An inspiring event to be a part of, with a real sense of community and the feeling of the start of something great — with bigger and more exciting events to come.”
“I'm excited to see the return of swimming events to the tidal Thames. Swimming with the current promises to produce fast, tactical racing among the elites and a fun swim down the river for the rest of us.”
“A memorable summer’s day joining the Olympian swimmers on their River Thames swim from Kew Bridge to Hammersmith Bridge. While they covered the full course a touch faster than us, our group swam a shorter stretch — and we all finished just in time to cheer them across the line at Hammersmith.”
“The return of competitive racing to the tidal Thames marks the rebirth of this great river and the moment it was reclaimed by the swimming public.”
Mission
Swimming for a cleaner, more accessible Thames.
We believe London should have cleaner, safer, more accessible urban waterways. Swim London champions that future through responsible events, education, partnerships and water-quality awareness.
Tone
Calm, practical, responsible.
We do not market Swim London on bravado. The Thames deserves better. We talk about the river honestly, design the event properly, and let the swim speak for itself.