Swim Long 2.5,3.8,5 & 10KM

swim long logo boscombe white.png

Boscombe Sea Front - 11th September 2021

Introduction:

The Swim Long event is a GPS tracked point to point sea swim. The route is a simple traverse along the seafront to Hengistbury Head (and back). Swimmer's handrail the beach by 10 meters. Each swimmer is issued a tow float that carries their GPS tracker and acts as an emergency buoyancy aid should it be required.  Supporters, friends, and family can accurately track the swimmers as they move along the course. The swims start at Boscombe pier and are an out and backs. Drink stations will be present at the turn points. Please see the 'event information pack' for more details.

Concept:

The Swim Long event is a self-navigation, GPS tracked adventure swim. Swimmers use the event issued tow floats that house the GPS units and provide emergency buoyancy should it be required. 

Navigation is relatively easy and swimmers are to handrail the coastline by approx 10 meters. The swimmers are monitored by Geo Tracks at the event HQ, water safety craft and beach spotters who will patrol the swim course. Only experienced swimmers who are confident of completing the distance should enter. 


Location:

The Overstrand, Boscombe, BH5 1BN - View Location

Facilities:

  • GPS Live event tracking

  • Water safety craft            

  • Hot showers and changing areas

  • Toilets

  • Event medic

  • Drinks and feed stations on course   

  • Baggage storage in the registration tent

  • Finishers medals to be ordered when booking 

  • Event t-shirts / hooded tops to be ordered when booking 

Pre-event information pack:

The 2021 event information is now published on the link below. Please note: We do not post out any information.

Schedule:

  • 06:30 Registration opens (Boscombe seafront) 

  • 07:00 Rolling start for 10km

  • 07:45 Rolling start for 5km

  • 08:30 Rolling start for 3.8km

  • 08:45 Rolling start for 2.5km

  • Refunds / transfers:

 For full Votwo T&C's please click here. 

GPS Tracking and tow floats:

Each swimmer will be issued a GPS Tracker at event registration. The tracker will be placed inside an inflated swim tow float. The tow float is then attached by the swimmer to their waist via the waist strap. Swimmers can be tracked by visiting the following the below links. Tracker icons will appear on the live view tracking map 5 mins before the start of the event.

Weather:

Votwo has successfully organised long-distance open water swimming events from Boscombe seafront for a number of years. The prevailing weather conditions in early September are normally very acceptable for sea swimming. However...  swimmer safety is paramount and the swim will be postponed or canceled if the predicted or actual sea state falls outside of the event safety parameters. The event director will keep entrants updated in the lead up to the event by email and post on Votwo Facebook page.  All entrants are to read the terms and conditions to the entry of the event before entering! T&Cs can be viewed here.

Cut off times:   

  • 10km - 4hr 30mins   

  • 5km - 2hr 20mins   

  • Swimmers over these times will be collected from the water and returned to shore

 
 

“Brill Swim today. Thanks for making my first open water race a great one!”

— Glen Hawking