Wild Dart Swim and Aquathlon (4.5k and 15k aquathlon)

NEW ROUTE. NEW VENUE

 

**You can find out all the informatiuon you should need on our event brochure here **

 

The Wild Dart Swim takes place on Saturday July 26th, 2025

This year, after conuslting with the harbourmaster and Friends of The Dart, we have decided to finish the swim at the Dolphin Boatyard.

 

4.5k swim and 15k aquathlon 2.30pm

4.5k swimmers and 15k aquathloners will start their swim by heading dowbstream, either from Ashprington Point or Stoke Gabriel.

Aquathloners will start alomgside the 5km swimmers and exit at Dolphin Boatyard, then move to a nearby transition area, before running a six miles circuit, which finishes back at the boastyard.

The exact reoute will be published shortly, as well as transport, accommodation and start point details.

 

Key facts

- The aquathlon course suits road shoes.
- All normal swim run kit will be permitted, including tow floats except for flippers. Hand Fins only are permitted but people using them will not qualify for podium prizes. 
- We will take your clearly labelled drop bags to the transition area at Dolphin Boatyard from registration.

15k Aquathlon

 

The 15k aquathlon includes:

- The 4.5k swim to Dolphin Boatyard
- A 10k run run along the green lanes and quiet country lanes in Galmpton, finishing in the Boatyard.
- All 4.5K swimmers will need to bring a drop back for the finish.

Key facts:

- All normal swim run kit will be permitted, including tow floats except for flippers.
- Only hand fins are permitted after speaking to our safety team, sorry. Not flippers (see above)
- A transition point will be provided at Dolphin Boatyard and transition gear taken there from registration

 

How will it work?

 

- There will be one start wave for 4.5k/aquathloners and aquathloners

Start times:

- We will confirm the actual start time for the 4.5k swim ishortky but it will be on a High Tide at approximeatley 2.30pm. 
- We expect the first 5k swimmers to finish in just over 1 hour 15 mins. Aquathlon entrants will leave their clothes/shoes in a colour coded & numbered bin bag, which will be taken to the finish.
- All 4.5K swimmers will need to bring a drop back for the finish, where a limited number of changing cubicles will be erected in the finish field.

Safety measures

 

- There will be a team of safety kayakers, rescue boats and crews on hand throughout the swim.
- No one should be more than 200m from a safety vessel 
- We will be working closely with the safety team to ensure swimmers exit at ashprington Point, one at a time.
- In the event of the water temperature falling below 11.9ºC, a reduced swim course will be considered.

Wetsuits

 

We will be allowing participants to swim without wetsuits, if the temperature is above 14 degrees. However you do so at your own risk.

If the water temperature is above 22 degrees Celsius, wetsuits will be banned. Competitors will be notified of this at registration and in advance of the event where possible.

The event crew will use manual timing to time each swimmer. Participants will be set off in two waves, which will be decided in conjunction with the harbourmaster’s office and the water safety team.

 

Registration, Post Swim and Kit

 

The exact location for registration will be confirmed shortly. All swimmers will be able to collect their swim packs containing race number, and swim cap. All participants will be able to leave their kit at the start in an attended area. We will also encourage supporters to be on standby ready with warm garments.

For those of you who have built up an appetite, the in Ashprington does excellent food. 

What’s Included:

 

- Manual timing
- Swim caps
- Full water safety coverage
- Prizes where sufficient numbers allow
- Transport to start from finish (optional purchase)
- Finisher’s medals (optional- or a donation will be made to Friends Of The Dart)

Camping

 

**If the event has to be cancelled due to poor water quality, we can offer full credits to another date, either in the same year or the following year. If it has to be modified or rescheduled then we can not offer this, as our event resources will have been used up. No refunds can be given under any circumstances- sorry.**

Swimmers are reminded of safety protocols in the water:

- Wear a wetsuit (min 2mm)
- Flush wetsuit before race start to acclimatise to temperatures
- Sighting every 7 strokes to aide direction
- Be alert to buoys and aware of other river users
- Avoid swallowing water
- Tow Floats are allowed

Swimmers will receive a full race briefing on how to alert the safety team in the event of getting in to difficulty.