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The Most Popular Wild Swims in the UK
Bantham Swoosh & Boomerang
5 June 2027
2026 sold out in minutes.
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The UK’s most popular river swims. Swim the Aune Estuary, which runs through the private Bantham Estate in Devon and finishes on one of Europe's top ten beaches. It's shallow and clear, with a sandy bottom through the final section, so you might even spot crabs cruising around the river bed.
As you come into the last kilometre, the tide carries you four times faster than your normal swimming speed.
Bantham provides the ultimate outdoor river swims with exclusive onsite camping near the beach, and a festival atmosphere that spans the entire weekend. Soak up the magic of the current and the uniquely beautiful scenery of this world-class swim.
What Our Swimmers Said:
"The most beautiful and enjoyable swim I have ever done."
"The Boomerang is a whole new way of swimming. You feel the current pushing you, the water is so clear, it was magic. I went through every emotion and I will never forget it."
"Into the river, to lose myself and find my soul. For an hour or two, you become a part of the flowing tides."
Bantham Swoosh starts around 7am on Saturday. This is a 6km point-to-point river swim through one of the most beautiful estuaries in the UK.
You start at the top of the Estuary in Aveton Gifford and swim downstream towards Bantham Beach, following the river as it curves through the private Bantham Estate. The swim begins gently, giving you time to settle into your rhythm, enjoy the scenery and feel the pull of the tide beneath you.
As the beach gets closer, the current begins to build. Then comes the famous Swoosh: the final kilometre where the tide accelerates and carries you towards the finish. It feels like nature’s waterslide — fast, smooth and exhilarating. You'll hear whoops of joy and see people lying on their backs, laughing as they float past.
This is the perfect swim for anyone ready for their first major open water event. It is long enough to be a real achievement, but the helping tide makes it more accessible than a still-water 6km swim. You need to be swim-fit, experienced in open water and ready for an adventure, but the river is on your side.
Expect clear water, sandy shallows, big skies, a beautiful beach finish and the memories that last a lifetime.
Boomerang starts around 6pm on Saturday and is a soulful, tidal swimming adventure.
This swim is unlike anything else. Instead of simply swimming with the tide, you ride it both ways. We start from Bantham Beach and swim upriver with the incoming tide. When you feel the tide turn, you turn too, and then swim back downriver as the current gathers speed and carries you home.
It is a journey through the full rhythm of the estuary. You feel the river change beneath you. We swim off the beach and get Swooshed upstream, drawing us inland and deeper into the landscape. Then, as the tide turns, the whole swim shifts. The water begins to move back towards the sea, and you return with the flow, finishing with the same fast, joyful rush that makes the Swoosh famous.
The Boomerang is more challenging than the Swoosh. You can choose a swim between 1.5 and 2.5 hours long. It's a longer swim and requires more confidence, patience and open water experience. That is what makes it special. For a while we become a part of the river and the tides, flowing up and back down again.
For swimmers ready for the next step - something bigger, wilder and more memorable - the Boomerang is the one.
Where to stay: Camping at Bantham Swoosh & Boomerang offers an exclusive and tranquil experience on the Bantham Estate, near Bantham Beach in South Devon. This is the only night of the year that you can camp on the Estate. Enjoy a peaceful escape surrounded by rolling fields, salty sea air, and breathtaking views. You can book your camping spot when you buy your ticket.
Event Location: Bantham, Kingsbridge TQ7 3AN
Every Stroke Funds a Lesson
Level Water builds world-class event experiences to solve a massive problem: providing 1-to-1 swimming lessons for children with disabilities. In 2026 alone our work funded over 50,000 lessons.
Or join our Priority List for your best chance to buy a ticket!
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Charity ticket - is a lower cost ticket which is available to buy now. When you buy one you commit to fundraising for Level Water for your swim. We ask you to aim to raise a minimum of £250. We will support you along the way and people on average raise £400!
General ticket - is a higher cost ticket, you just turn up on the day and swim. These sold out in minutes last year, and fewer than 10% of people managed to get one.
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You must be 16+ years to swim the Bantham Swoosh or Boomerang.
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Camp with us on the estate! We recommend booking early.
Many swimmers choose to camp for the weekend with us. Camping at Bantham Swoosh & Boomerang offers a tranquil experience on the Bantham Estate. On site facilities include: flushing toilets and a cold shower. You can book camping when you buy your ticket.
There are lots of other options available in the local area too!
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You need to train outdoors, and in varied conditions including wind and chop.
We’ve partnered with Catch to give every Level Water swimmer a free, structured training experience built specifically for The Bantham Swoosh & Boomerang.
The plans are designed by Catch’s Head Coach Rebecca Wetten, who’s swum all of our events herself. So when she says she knows what you’re training for, she really means it!
If for any reason you struggle with the distance on the day then our water safety team will be on hand during the event to offer their support. If you are falling behind they may leapfrog you forwards if you’d like to continue swimming.
Very tired or cold swimmers will be evacuated from the water.
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For Swoosh & Boomerang, “shoulder-to-ankle” neoprene is required, and “wrist-to-ankle” is recommended.
If you’d like to swim in a shortie or no wetsuit you can apply for permission to swim in ‘skins’, via a form which will be available to you after booking.
Skins swimmers will also need to wear tow floats during the event.
If you need to stop during the swim, the safety crew will be able to support you.
