FAQ

You can choose to enter any wave. If you want to compete for an overall winner or a category prize, you must enter Wave 1 when you sign up for this event.

We cannot facilitate any wave changes after you have entered this event, so please make sure to sign up for your preferred wave when you enter. If your preferred wave is sold out, it will no longer be visible online, and you must choose an alternative wave.

If the Wave 1  wave has sold out online and you are an elite swimmer wishing to compete in this event, please email us at info@gaelforceevents.com and we will do our best to accommodate you. Guide Time: A sub-40-minute 2km open water swimming time.

Competitors must be 16 years of age or over on Event Day. Competitors aged 16 & 17 must have a signed parent or guardian consent form to take part. Please download & complete this form and email it back to us or bring it to our information desk on event day.

In order to compete in the 12km distance competitors must be 18 years of age or over on Event Day.

On-the-day registration is sometimes available for this event, although it is much better value to enter in advance! 

If you wish to enter on the day we will have a card machine available for payments.

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If you want to compete for an overall winner or a category prize, you must enter Wave 1 when you sign up for this event. Or be in the first start with Wave 1 on the day of the event.

Registration for this event is by post.

Your Race Cap & Number will be posted out 9 days before the event takes place. Please make sure that we have your correct postal address. Your race number will also be sent by text to your phone and published on our website in the days before the event.

International competitors and late entrants can collect their Race Cap & Number at the information desk on event day. If your Race Cap & Number doesn’t arrive, don’t worry, you can collect it on event day.

You must be able to swim 2km or 3.9km confidently before taking part in the longer distance events. If you cannot do this, or if this is your first open water swimming event, we recommend the 750m/800m event as a great starting point.

We recommend that competitors in all distances have some open water swimming experience.

If you are planning to swim in skins, you must have trained in similar cold water temperatures for similar lengths of time as your chosen distance, with no adverse effect.

Water temperatures can vary significantly depending on weather conditions. The average water temperature is usually around 11°C at the time of this event.

Hypothermia can set in quickly, especially for anyone swimming in skins. It is essential that swimmers monitor how they feel in the water. If in doubt, act quickly and alert our safety staff on the water who will ensure you get the treatment you need.

We recommend that competitors in the 5.2km distance wear a wetsuit for this event TBC

You do not have to wear a wetsuit. You can choose to swim in a wetsuit or skins, but you must state your preference when you sign up for this event. There are prizes for wetsuit and non- wetsuit winners in each distance. However, we do recommend that competitors in the 5.8km distance wear a wetsuit and for the 12km distance wetsuits are complusary.

If you choose to wear a wetsuit, we recommend that you wear a well-fitting one such as those designed for triathlons, which are usually made from a flexible neoprene that allows you to swim normally whilst helping to insulate the body against the cold water. We also recommend that you try your wetsuit out before event day. Read more: Choosing a wetsuit for open water swimming.

You CANNOT wear fins. Booties, neoprene socks and gloves can be worn for this event.

ALL competitors in ALL distances must wear a tow float for your own safety. No competitor will be allowed in the water without a tow float.

You can order a tow float to rent or buy when you enter this event, or you can bring your own.

Anyone who does not meet their cut-off time will be picked up by the water safety team. If at any time our safety team does not feel that you are capable of meeting the cut-off time, or they are concerned for your safety, you will be removed from the water. These decisions are always made with your safety in mind. The Water Safety Director’s decision is final.

This is an unsupported race. Spectators may not provide assistance to competitors, e.g., food, drinks or technical help, unless you have agreed with the Race Director in advance. You must bring everything you need with you. Contact us to discuss your options if you require support on event day.

All entry fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. This includes transfers to other years, events or competitors. Please make sure that you can commit to both the event and the training before you enter one of our events. Read our Booking Terms & Conditions.

Announcements of any cancellation/postponement in advance will be emailed to the address you provided when you entered the event. Please ensure that you have provided your correct email address. Notice will also be posted on this website and on our social media.

Gaelforce Events, at its sole discretion may delay, modify, or cancel this event if conditions or natural or man-made emergencies make administering the event unreasonably difficult or unsafe.

“Emergency" is defined as any event beyond our control, including but not limited to high wind, extreme rain or hail, hurricane, tornado, earthquake, flood, acts of terrorism, fire, threatened or actual strike, labour difficulty or work stoppage, insurrection, war, public disaster, and unavoidable casualty. In the event of a delay, modification, or cancellation of this event as described in this paragraph, participants will not be entitled to a refund of their entry fee, or any other costs incurred in connection with this event.