Press Release

Record-breaking Great North Swim soon to make a splash on Windermere

28 July 2008

Organisers are offering a last chance to take part in Britain’s largest open water swim, the Great North Swim.

In just two months, over 1,800 swimmers of all abilities have signed up to make a splash for the unique event, taking place on England’s longest natural lake, Windermere.

Following a hugely popular launch event in Manchester and backing from the UK’s most successful male swimmer and eight times World Record Holder, Mark Foster – organisers have decided to offer even more people the chance to undertake the challenge, releasing a total of 2,000 places for the event taking place on Saturday 13 September.

With individual entries now closing, people still wanting to take part can secure a place through a number of charities supporting the event, which are listed at www.greatnorthswim.org

Swimmers of all abilities are expected to grace the stunning shores at Low Wood, to take up the challenge of a specially designed one-mile course – wetsuit optional!

Recently returning from Croatia, having broken the British record the 50m freestyle and rising to ninth in the world rankings, Mark said: “I am really pleased to support this event as it offers so many people from different backgrounds and abilities, the chance to be part of something special and really get involved and get passionate about swimming.

“To have over 1,800 swimmers already signed up, in such a short time is fantastic!”

Inspired by the Bupa Great North Run, the world’s largest half marathon, the team behind it have translated the formula to the water. The Great North Swim is designed to suit people of all abilities, from club or competitive participants, to fun and charity swimmers.

Organisers have teamed up with a number of strategic local partners to create the new event, with the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), South Lakeland District Council, Invest in Cumbria, Cumbria Tourism, Lake District National Park and English Lakes Hotels all backing the innovative swimming experience.

Sheldon Phillips, Partnership Marketing Manager at Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), said: “We are thrilled by the response to the event so far. This really highlights that people want to embrace new sporting challenges and be part of something special – it’s great that the organisers have been able to increase the number of places available.

“The NWDA is pleased to support the first Great North Swim and I hope many visitors will be encouraged to take part and go on to explore the outstanding assets of Cumbria and the Lake District.” 

Entry for the event is open to people aged 15 and over. All swimmers must have completed a one-mile swim in training before the event to qualify. Wetsuits are optional but are recommended.

People wanting to find out more can go to www.greatnorthswim.org to enter the event as well as get help and advice on how best to prepare for the challenge.

The Great North Swim is the latest event to be launched as part of Take to the Streets, a national activity initiative designed to fight spiralling inactivity and obesity rates and raise huge amounts of money for charity in the process.

Taking part in the event will mean that swimmers will be part of it and contribute to the ambitious target of getting over two million people active and engaged in a Take to the Streets event each year by 2012.