Participants

Q. What time does the mass-participation swim start?
A. There will be a number of different start waves going off at regular intervals during the day.

Q. How old do you need to be to participate?
A. Age restrictions for the 2022 event are as follows:

• Half mile: 12 years and above on event day
• One mile: 16 years and above on event day
• Two miles: 16 years and above on event day
• Super Six: 18 years and above on event day

Q. What level of swimmer do I need to be to enter the mass-participation swim?
A. You must be able to comfortably swim your chosen distance in open water or double the distance in a pool non-stop.

Q. Can I swim breaststroke?
A. Yes, breaststroke is allowed

Q. Is there a map of the course?
A. A map of the course is available on the event organiser's website.

Q. Do I have to wear a wetsuit?
A. Wetsuits are optional when the water temperature is 15 degrees or over. However, for safety reasons, all swimmers in the event must either wear a full-length wetsuit or use a tow-float.

A small number of wetsuits and tow-floats may be available to hire/buy on the day. To avoid disappointment, please be advised that hire wetsuits should be ordered online before the event as HUUB will have limited stock on the day and cannot guarantee to have your size. Hire wetsuits cannot be returned on the day of the event.

Q. Can I wear a tri suit without having to use a tow-float as well?
A. You will be required to wear a tow-float as well. It is the buoyancy from the neoprene in wetsuits that is important – a tri suit is just a long swimming costume.

As there will be 5,000 swimmers taking part in the event, the event organiser's priority is to get everyone out of the water safe and sound. If a swimmer has a serious medical issue on the water, then the buoyancy provided by the wetsuit or tow-float should allow for them to locate and extract the swimmer in a speedy manner.

Q. Can I swim in fancy dress or a different costume?
A. Fancy dress is only allowed if it does not inhibit your swim stroke or swimmers around you. Safety comes first and the water safety team's decision on whether or not a fancy dress costume will be permitted is final.

Q. Can I listen to music on a personal audio player during the swim?
A. No, personal audio devices such as MP3 players are not permitted during the swim as our water safety team may need to communicate with you.

Q. Are there pace setters in the swim?
A. No.

Q. Do I get a race number?
A. Yes – all swimmers will have colour-coded swim hats and your number will be written on your hand.

Q. Is there a cut off time to finish my swim?
A. The organiser's try to allow all swimmers to finish their swim where possible. However, the water safety team do have the authority to pull people out of the water if they believe the swimmer is struggling. The only strict cut off times we will have are at the end of the day as the organisers have to finish the event by an agreed time.

Q. Will I get an official finishing time?
A. Yes – all swimmers get finish times, which are available on the event results page after the event.

Q. Are there prizes for the fastest swimmers?
A. The mass participation events are not races, the main focus is on fun. However, specially designed age group medals will be mailed out post-event to the top three male and female finishers in the following age group categories: 

• One and Two-mile Swims: 18-39 year olds then five year age bands up to 80+.

The Half-mile Swim is a fun event, although the top three male and female finishers in the 12-14 and 15-17 age categories, who are unable to enter longer events, will also be awarded medals.

Q. If I am unable to swim, can someone else use my entry?
A. Places are not transferable under any circumstances. 

Anyone attempting to swim using another person’s entry will be disqualified and banned for life from all events organised by London Marathon Events Ltd.

Q. I am unable to take part, can I defer my entry to next year?
A. Unfortunately, no deferrals are available for this event.

Q. If I am unable to swim, do I get my entry fee refunded?
A. Unfortunately, entry fees cannot be refunded.

Q. Do I have to collect a registration pack, or will this be sent to me through the post?
A. Your registration pack will be sent to you in the post.

Q. I need a hotel in London for the weekend of Swim Serpentine – any advice?
A. Check out www.visitlondon.com/where-to-stay for accommodation ideas for every budget.

On the day

Q. How do I know what to do on the day?
A. The event Final Instructions will be e-mailed to all participants and will be available online. You will also be sent a Swim Pack contain essential items for your swim.

Q. What time does the event start?
A. The start time for the 2020 edition of the event will be available in due course.

Q. What time should I get to the Serpentine?
A. It is recommended that you arrive at the Serpentine at least one hour before your start wave so you can familiarise yourself with the layout of the event and allow time to get changed and check in ahead of your swim.

Q. What’s the best way to get to the Serpentine?
A. it is recommended that you travel on the Tube. The closest Tube to the event area is Lancaster Gate on the Central line. Alight here and the event area is a 700m walk across Hyde Park. You can also alight at Marble Arch (Central line), Hyde Park Corner (Piccadilly line) or Knightsbridge (Piccadilly line) and the event area is around 1km from each Tube station. For bus information, visit www.tfl.gov.uk. 

Visit the Royal Parks website to find out more about getting to Hyde Park.

Q. Will there be road closures during the event weekend?
A. The only road closed during the event is Serpentine Road, which is in Hyde Park and immediately adjacent to the Serpentine.

Q. Is there parking available on the day?
A. Triangle Car Park, adjacent to the Serpentine at the north end of Serpentine Bridge, will not be open over the event weekend. Visit the Royal Parks’ website for more information on other parking in Hyde Park. We recommend that swimmers and spectators avoid coming by car as parking spaces are limited.

At the finish

Q. How can I meet my family and friends after I have finished my swim?
A. There will be a meet and greet area for families and friends – this will be after swimmers have exited the water and passed through the check-out area.

Spectators

Q. Where are the best places to spectate from?
A. There will be grandstands in the event area for the public to use as well as spectator areas around the Serpentine.

Q. Where are the best places for someone in a wheelchair to watch?
A. There will be a public wheelchair viewing area adjacent to the grandstands.

Q. Is there any entertainment in Hyde Park?
A. The event organisers are aiming for a festival atmosphere over the event weekend and there will be fun activities for the whole family at Swim Serpentine.

Q. Is there parking available on the day?
A. We recommend using public transport to get to the event. There is limited parking in Hyde Park – find out more here.

Not yet signed up?

Then go to our registration page where you will find all the relevant information.

Go to the registration page