The eighteenth edition of the iconic Arla Great North Swim – the UK's biggest open water swimming event - drew 7,500 swimmers and 20,000 spectators from across the country to breathtaking Windermere this weekend (13-15 June) for this annual celebration of open water swimming.
The sun shone as swimmers and their family and friends enjoyed the festival like atmosphere at Brockhole. Offering something for everyone, alongside the open water swimming, outdoor activities and adventure play, the best of local food and drink were enjoyed as everyone came together at our Swim Fest.
Highlights across the weekend included an entertaining chat between Chris Thompson, one of Britain's most accomplished long distance runners and Vassos Alexander, sports presenter and co-presenter of the Chris Evans Breakfast Show on Virgin Radio
Vassos, who recently fell in love with swimming – completed the 1 mile swim on Saturday before joining Thommo on the Swimfest stage to talk about his love of cold water swimming which inspired his new book ‘Swimmingly'. He said;
“I very much enjoyed my day, Thank you very much for inviting me. I love swimming and there is no better place in the world to swim than Lake Windermere. It's just fantastic, the water temperature fresh but not cold and the surrounding scenery is awesome and the organisation is like a hundred percent.”
The Great North Swim will be back Friday 12 June to Sunday 14 June 2026 and Vassos added;
“This thing is so non competitive, everyone is really welcoming and wants you to succeed. The whole set up couldn't be safer and you couldn't feel better after completing your swim – absolutely just go for it.”
Sunday saw the launch of the new quiet half mile wave. Introduced in partnership with Headway, the brain injury association, the wave enabled swimmers to enter the water in a quieter environment free from additional stresses and anxiety. A quiet hush descended across the lake as the music was turned off, the PA lowered and eager chatter reduced as swimmers got in the water with plenty of space around them.
Vickie Orton from Otley West Yorkshire has secondary progressive multiple sclerosis and is a wheelchair use. She completed the half mile course during the quiet wave.
“For me, it helps me get in the zone a lot more. One of the things I love about open water swimming is the tranquillity and being in the nature, and the quiet wave just gave me a chance to breathe and just de-stress without the sensory overload.”
I really appreciated having the opportunity for the quiet, to clear my head and just help me relax. That's what works for me more than pumping myself up with noise before I enter the water.”
Vickie has been open water swimming for over four years to help manage the impact of her progressive condition.
“I used to do a lot of walking in the hills and everything and I miss that with a passion. Being out in the open water, being surrounded by nature, it's the closest thing I've ever got to healing that wound. I swim all the year round and I love it.”
Paul Foster, Chief Executive of The Great Run Company, said: “Lake Windermere and its communities always warmly welcome us back year after year – this is an event we always look forward to. I want to take this opportunity to say thank you to the amazing lifeguards, medics, power boat crew, swim safety kayakers and volunteers. We couldn't do the Arla Great North Swim weekend without you.”
The Arla Great Swim caters for all ages, abilities and levels of experience across a variety of distances - from 250m, half mile, 1 mile, 2 mile, 5k to a marathon 10K open water challenge. The event also featured a Swim Run Challenge on Sunday with the more adventurous participants completing an off-road, open water island-hopping adventure across two distances.
Once again the event theme ‘Every Body Swim' focused on the inclusivity of swimming and how everyone can enjoy the feeling of freedom that the water gives. Whether it be a simple love of the water and nature, for health reasons, fundraising for a cause close to their hearts or memory of a loved one, every swimmer had their own personal reason for taking part this weekend.
Diana Maynard, a spirited 53-year-old from Sheffield, is a type 1 diabetic living with visual impairment who took on the 2 mile course with her swim guide Jill to inspire others facing similar challenges to her own. After taking up triathlon and open water swimming for her 50th birthday, Diana has multiple athletic achievements under her belt already - including three marathons and a grueling 100-mile bike ride however Diana had never attempted in her words “a big swim."
Her advice to first-time participants is simple yet powerful: “What's the worst that can happen? With a safety team in place and a community ready to cheer you on, there are only opportunities to grow and stretch one's limits.”
Claire Lowe and her colleagues from South West Yorkshire Perinatal Service based, completed the 1mile course at Windermere to raise awareness and money for the APP (Action on Postpartum Psychosis), a national charity supporting and advocating for mums and families affected by this severe but treatable mental illness that begins in the days and weeks after giving birth.
Before signing up for this challenge, none of the team, who's ages range from early 30s to late 50s, had ever experienced open water swimming before. Now all are reaping the benefits being in the water and amongst nature brings, providing the perfect antidote to their rewarding but understandably stressful jobs supporting families.
“We wanted to help raise awareness so women and birthing people and families know what the illness is and how to access support if they feel they are at risk or are experiencing symptoms. We are blown away by the generosity of people who have donated to the charity and we hope the number of donations reflects that we have managed to spread the message and raise funds so APP can continue their amazing work.”
Laura Butler, Strategic Brand Manager for Arla LactoFREE, explains: “The Great North Swim is an inspiring celebration of open-water swimming—welcoming participants of all ages and abilities to challenge themselves and boost their wellbeing. At Arla, we're dedicated to crafting natural, nutritious dairy products in the most responsible way, and we're proud to have returned as sponsors this year to cheer on every swimmer.”
Sign Up for Next Year and Save
The Great North Swim and Great North Swim Run will be back Friday 12 June to Sunday 14 June 2026. Sign up for next year to get our 2026 Early Bird Offer. Don't miss out on our lowest entry price – visit here to find out more.