Participant guide
In the lead-up to Swim Serpentine we’ll email your Participant Guide to you, which includes everything you need to know about getting to Hyde Park – and more!
In the meantime, here’s some guidance for you.
1. Ensure your details are up to date
Your Swim Pack contains your swim cap, timing tag and kitbag. If you live in the UK, we will send it to the address saved in your Let’s Do This account, so keep it up to date.
If you live outside of the UK, you will collect it from Marathon House (190 Great Dover Street, London, SE1 4YB) or on Swim Day.
2. Choose whether you'll swim in a wetsuit or with a tow float
On Swim Day, you’ll need to wear a full-length wetsuit or use a tow float for safety reasons. Read this handy guide if you're unsure.
You can rent a ZONE3 wetsuit and tow float for Swim Day. Wetsuits start from £30, and tow floats are £10. If you'd like to rent a wetsuit for the entirety of your training, ZONE3 also offers longer rentals. Head to the ZONE3 site to order yours.
3. Pick your Training Plan
Choose the plan for your distance and get familiar with the route.
We also have a wealth of training advice such as How to stop your wetsuit chafing and six other essential Swim Day tips.
4. Head to Serpentine Lido for a practice swim
To properly adapt to cold-water swimming, start open-water training by June. Indoor pools alone won’t prepare you for Swim Day conditions.
The Serpentine Lido is an ideal training spot, open daily from June through mid-September, with hours from 10:00 to 18:00. You can book online via the Royal Parks site.
5. Plan your journey to the Start Line
Where possible, we recommend travelling to Hyde Park on foot, by bicycle, or by public transport. A free bike park is available on a first-come-first-served basis.
Participant travel is one of the biggest contributors to carbon emissions at our events, so please use public transport if possible.
To plan your journey to and from Hyde Park, please use TfL.
6. Get to know what is available to you on Swim Day
We have a Sensory Calm Space, for anyone who wants to take a moment away from the crowds, and a Multi Faith Prayer Space that is open to all.
If your period falls on Event Day, you can find tampons and pads at the info points and drink stations.
If you have a bladder or bowel condition, a Just Can’t Wait Toilet Card explains you have a medical condition and need urgent access to a toilet. You can download the card, issued by the Bladder and Bowel Community, for free. From that page, you can also purchase a plastic card. There are also bladder pads at the info points and drink stations.
If you are visually impaired, or your disability or medical condition means you need a support swimmer, you can apply for a free place for them. Please email us outlining your request and the reasons for it.
7. Set up your fundraising page
You can sign up to Enthuse, our official fundraising platform. If you don’t have a charity place you can still fundraise for charity!
8. Keep your eye out for the Participant Guide closer to Event Day
We will email your Participant Guide before the event. It includes everything you need to know about getting to the Start Line and more.