Swim London race from Brentford to Putney, Sunday 6 September

Swim London

Spectators encouraged

Open water swimmers will take part in a race in the River Thames on Sunday 6 September.

The swimmers will set off from Brentford in several waves from 11.15 am, with the slowest starting first, and follow a 10km course from the starting point opposite Kew Gardens, through Chiswick and Hammersmith to Putney.

Those taking part in the shorter version of the race will join at Barnes and follow the same final stretch over 5km to the finish, on the outgoing tide. The swimmers have been told they must be able to maintain a pace of at least 60 minutes per mile in normal, non-tidal conditions.

The river is closed to boat traffic until 2.15 pm. The race, organised by Swim London, will be marshalled by a safety crew in kayaks.

Spectators are encouraged to ‘come and make some noise’.

They should get some loud encouragement when they get to Strand on the Green, where they will be setting up for a street party to coincide with Tidefest, the annual celebration of the tidal Thames.

READ ALSO: Street party returns to Strand on the Green for Tidefest weekend

Swim London carried out a ‘trial swim’ in July. A group of experienced open-water swimmers tested the course, supported by safety boats and the operational team, to assess the route, tidal conditions, swimmer movement and key safety procedures ahead of the main event on 6 September.

“The swim went extremely well”, the organisers reported, “and provided valuable feedback for everyone involved.

“It was also a first glimpse of what Swim London can become: hundreds of swimmers travelling through the heart of the capital, passing some of west London’s most recognisable landmarks before finishing at Putney”.

Swim London is working with the Port of London Authority to organise the race.