Question 1

How do I enter Swim London?

Accepted Answer

Entries for the 2026 event are now closed. Join the Swim London mailing list to hear first when entries open for the next edition.

Question 2

When is Swim London?

Accepted Answer

Sunday 6 September 2026. The first 10 km wave leaves Brentford at 11:15 and the first 5 km wave leaves Barnes at 12:10. The first swimmers are expected to finish between 13:00 and 14:00.

Question 3

What time is my wave and how do I know which one I am in?

Accepted Answer

Waves start at 11:15, 11:30 and 11:40 for the 10 km, and 12:10, 12:20 and 12:30 for the 5 km. Your wave is identified by your wristband colour and is confirmed by email in the week of the event. Please arrive 60 minutes before your start time. Full details are on the race day page.

Question 4

Where do I register on race day?

Accepted Answer

10 km swimmers register at the Brentford Liquidity Sculpture (TW8 0BT) from 09:30, with bag drop from 10:00 and the safety briefing at 11:00. 5 km swimmers register at Emmanuel School Boat Club, Barnes, from 10:45, with bag drop from 11:15 and the safety briefing at 12:00.

Question 5

What happens to my bag?

Accepted Answer

Bag drop at both starts is transported to the finish at Putney Embankment, where you collect it after your swim.

Question 6

What distances are available and what do they cost?

Accepted Answer

10 km Thames Swim (Brentford to Putney): £150. 5 km Landmark Swim (Barnes to Putney): £130. Both prices include finish area access, medal and refreshments.

Question 7

Where does the event start and finish?

Accepted Answer

The 10 km starts at Brentford, first wave 11:15. The 5 km starts at Barnes, first wave 12:10. Both distances finish at Putney Embankment, outside Imperial Boathouse, with the first swimmers expected between 13:00 and 14:00. Final start access points will be confirmed in the participant guide.

Question 8

Is Swim London a race?

Accepted Answer

It is a timed swim, and every swimmer will wear a timing chip. Swimmers start in waves and the event is designed to be well-organised, memorable and fun.

Question 9

Will there be start waves?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Six waves start across the day, organised by the estimated swim time given at registration, with the slowest swimmers starting first. Your wave is identified by your wristband colour and confirmed by email in the week of the event.

Question 10

Is there a minimum age?

Accepted Answer

Yes. All swimmers must be aged 18 or over on event day.

Question 11

Do I need open-water swimming experience?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Swim London is for capable open-water swimmers who can complete their chosen distance continuously. The 10 km is suited to experienced distance swimmers. The 5 km is the more accessible option, but still requires proper preparation and open-water confidence.

Question 12

Is Swim London suitable as my first open-water swim?

Accepted Answer

No. Swim London should not be someone’s first-ever open-water swim. Please build up experience in supervised open-water sessions first.

Question 13

Are wetsuits required?

Accepted Answer

Wetsuits are optional, subject to final event-day guidance based on water temperature and conditions.

Question 14

Are tow floats required?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Tow floats are required for all swimmers.

Question 15

Do I need to prove I can complete the distance?

Accepted Answer

No formal proof is required, but everyone entering must be confident of completing their chosen distance safely and continuously.

Question 16

Are there feed stations on the route?

Accepted Answer

No. There are no feed stations on the route. Swimmers should be prepared to complete their chosen distance continuously.

Question 17

What happens if I need to withdraw during the swim?

Accepted Answer

If you need to withdraw, you will be able to exit early with support from the event safety team.

Question 18

What safety cover is on the water?

Accepted Answer

Swim London operates with a professional swim-safety team and multiple safety boats on the river throughout the course. Full participant safety information is included in the participant guide.

Question 19

What happens if water quality is poor?

Accepted Answer

The event follows a water-quality and safety process. If conditions are not suitable, the organisers will take the decisions needed to protect swimmers.

Question 20

What happens if the weather or river conditions are unsafe?

Accepted Answer

Swimmer safety comes first. If conditions make the event unsafe, the organisers may change, delay, shorten or cancel the swim. Please review the full event terms for the cancellation arrangements.

Question 21

Can my family and friends come to watch?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Spectators can watch from points along the river and follow along the Thames Path towards Putney.

Question 22

What is at the finish?

Accepted Answer

The Swim London event village at Putney Embankment, outside Imperial Boathouse, with food and drink available to purchase, music, awards and space to celebrate.

Question 23

Will people be able to track me during the swim?

Accepted Answer

Final tracking and results details will be confirmed closer to the event.

Question 24

Will I receive a participant guide?

Accepted Answer

Yes. All registered swimmers will receive a participant guide before event day covering arrival, start times, kit, safety, the route and what to expect at the finish.

Question 25

Can I wear headphones or listen to music during the swim?

Accepted Answer

No. Personal audio devices are not permitted — swimmers must be able to hear instructions from the safety team.

Question 26

Can I swim in fancy dress?

Accepted Answer

Fancy dress is not recommended. Anything worn must not affect your ability to swim safely or create risk for others. The event safety team has final say on what is permitted.

Question 27

What is the participant cancellation policy?

Accepted Answer

You may cancel your entry within 14 days of purchase and receive a full refund. After this period, entries are non-refundable if you can no longer take part. You may transfer your place to another swimmer until the published transfer deadline. Please review the full event terms before booking.

Question 28

Can I transfer my place to someone else?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Entry transfers are permitted until the confirmed transfer deadline. Details are set out in the full event terms.

Question 29

Does the mailing-list form reserve me a place?

Accepted Answer

No. The mailing-list sign-up is for event updates only. Entries for 2026 are closed, and mailing-list members will hear first when entries open again.

Question 30

What is the current permission status?

Accepted Answer

Swim London successfully completed a supervised trial swim in July 2026 and is progressing through the final operational and consent process. The event remains subject to final permissions, safety sign-off and river conditions.

Question 31

Will the event be accessible for swimmers with disabilities?

Accepted Answer

We want Swim London to be as inclusive as possible while maintaining a safe river-swimming environment. Swimmers with specific access requirements should contact the team at toby@swim.london before entering so we can understand what support may be possible.

What you need to know.