The event
A premium London sporting property, with a cleaner-river mission.
Swim London is a new Thames swim built around professional event standards, capable participation and a cleaner-river mission.
Date
Sunday 6 September 2026
Start time
11:30
Sunday 6 September 2026
A single race day on the tidal Thames, with the river working in your favour. 11:30 start.
Brentford, Barnes, Putney
10 km from Brentford to Putney. 5 km from Barnes to Putney. Both distances finish at Putney Embankment.
Capable swimmers
Built for experienced open-water swimmers and triathletes. Minimum age 18. Tow floats required.
Professional event standards
Coordinated with the Port of London Authority, professionally planned and water-quality aware.
Cut-off times
Achievable cut-offs, thanks to the tide.
Swim London is a tide-assisted event. The river’s natural flow carries you downstream, which is why these cut-off times are achievable for capable open-water swimmers.
5 km Landmark Swim
2 hrs
Barnes to Putney with the tide — enough time to enjoy the river and finish strong.
10 km Thames Swim
4 hrs
Brentford to Putney. The full distance cut-off is designed around the tide window and is fair for capable swimmers.
What it is
A river swim, designed responsibly.
Swim London is built around the strengths of the Thames — its scale, its bridges and its tide. We are designing the event to make a meaningful swim possible without compromising safety, permissions or river stakeholders.
Who it’s for
Capable open-water swimmers and triathletes.
Swim London is not an introduction to open-water swimming. It is a proper London distance for capable athletes who already train in open water and want a worthy challenge in the capital.
