Dart10k 2026

Saturday

5:00am - Park and ride opens

5:20-7:15am - Coaches from park and ride to event village (5-min trip)

5:30am - Event village and registration open (for Saturday swimmers only) at Coronation Park, Dartmouth

7:45am - All swimmer briefing in Coronation Park

8:10am - Walk to ferries

8:50am - Ferry trip starts

10:00-10:40am - SWIM START (in waves)

12:00-2:00pm - SWIM FINISH

12:30pm-4:00pm - Post-swim coaches return to park and ride

4:00pm - Event village closes

Sunday

5:30am - Park and ride opens

5:50-7:45am - Coaches from park and ride to event village (5-min trip)

6:00am - Event village and registration open at Coronation Park, Dartmouth

8:15am - All swimmer briefing in Coronation Park

8:40am - Walk to ferries

9:20am - Ferry trip starts

10:30 - SWIM START (in waves)

12:30-2:30pm SWIM FINISH

1:00pm-4:30pm - Post-swim coaches return to park and ride

4:30pm - Event village closes

Traffic in the area will be heavier than normal so please factor in additional travel time, particularly if taking the ferry.

Higher Ferry operating times

The Higher Ferry starts operating at 6:30am on Saturday and 8am on Sunday. If you are staying on the East of the river (eg Kingswear, Paignton or Brixham), please plan to drive around via Totnes. This may take 40-50 minutes early in the morning.

Click here for event map.

Parking

There is no parking available in Dartmouth for longer than four hours. Therefore, you must park at the Dartmouth park and ride site, and take the short (5-minute) bus trip into town. The park and ride address is below, and you will pick up signage as you approach.

Dartmouth Park & Ride, TQ6 9LW

You do not need to book parking. We have a dedicated parking field with sufficient parking for the event. The parking and return coach trip will be free for swimmers and spectators in 2026.

The parking field closes at 6pm each day. If you plan on staying in Dartmouth later than this, please move your car before we lock the gate at 6pm.

If you do park in the council-operated park and ride car park (rather than the dedicated field), you will need to pay. The all day charge here is £10.50 and can be paid by PaybyPhone app or the machines.

As always, we strongly encourage you to car share as parking space may be limited and we aim to keep traffic on the roads in the local area to a minimum.

After the swim coach service has ended, the public bus service will still be running to the park and ride until around 5:30pm.

Public buses

The number 7 bus runs between Totnes and Dartmouth and would be ideal for spectators travelling to the event. Post-swim, buses return to Totnes roughly hourly on Saturdays until 19:50, and at 12:15 and 17:15 on Sundays. You can see the timetable here.

Click here for event map.

The park and ride

Dartmouth Park and Ride Overflow Field, Townstal Road, Dartmouth, TQ6 9LW

The event village

Coronation Park, Coombe Rd, Dartmouth, TQ6 9PQ

Swim Start

Adjacent to Sharpham South Quay

Swim Finish

Dart Marina, Dartmouth

All you really need to swim is:

• A full-length wetsuit (wrist-to-ankle neoprene)

• Goggles

• Shoes, a small jacket and a small bag for the ferry (these will be returned to the event village)

• A small bag of clothes to change into after the swim

• Skins swimmers only: Skins swimmers MUST use tow floats. See the skins swimmer section below for information on swimming the Dart10k without a wetsuit, or anything less than a full-length wetsuit.

You may wish to bring things like ear plugs, Vaseline, neoprene gloves/socks/hoods etc. but these are optional.

What is NOT allowed

• Fins and hand paddles

• Headphones/music

• GoPros

• Any “extra” kit is not allowed at the event (watches are OK).

• Tow floats

  • Wetsuit swimmers are not permitted tow floats, as they reduce visibility for our safety team. If you have a medical reason for requiring a tow float (eg carrying medication), please email swim@levelwater.org

Registration

Once you’ve arrived at the event village, head to the registration tent where our amazing volunteers will check you in, give you your race pack and write your swimmer number on your hand.

You will not be able to register for Sunday on Saturday.

Your race pack

You’ll collect your race pack at registration. They will not be posted to you.

The pack contains:

• Your swim hat, which must be worn during the swim and is coloured to match you wave

• Numbered wristband (must be worn on your wrist)

• Numbered baggage tag (if you wish to drop a bag)

• Skins swimmer wristband (if accepted through the skins swimmer process)

• Timing chip to be worn around the ankle, ideally underneath your wetsuit to keep it safe

YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO BOARD THE FERRIES UNLESS YOU HAVE YOUR HAND NUMBERED, YOUR WRISTBAND, TIMING CHIP AND YOUR SWIMMING HAT.

Baggage

You can either leave bags with your supporters or leave a small bag with us at the bag drop tent. Please attach the numbered tag provided in your race pack.

You can also bring a pair of shoes, a small jacket and one very small bag onto the ferry. This may not be available to collect until an hour after you complete the swim.

Morning refreshments

We will have coffee and breakfast options available to purchase before the swim, with Vegan and Gluten Free options available.

Water bottles

Please bring your own bottle for water refilling so we use fewer cups.

Toilets

Portable toilets will be available in the event village. Please do not get changed in them as this can create queues.

There is also a toilet on each of the ferries. These will be closed before the swim start: do not depend on them, and be sure to use the facilities in the event village before boarding, to reduce queues.

We will be using three ferries to transport swimmers up river to the start of the swim. The ferry you board will depend on your wave colour: everything will be sign posted clearly on the day.

You can check the wave you’ve entered by logging in to your SWIMMER DASHBOARD.You can find your booking reference in your confirmation email.

Each wave has a spread of speeds, and our safety team will ensure you have a great experience during the swim.

After the briefing in the event village, we'll walk 500m to the ferry terminal. You will be able to bring shoes for this walk. We will then take the ferry ride 10km upstream to the swim start. This journey takes around 50 minutes.

Boarding

You’ll be directed to the correct ferry based on your swim wave. Make sure you have your coloured swim hat in your hand as you walk to the ferries, so our volunteers can quickly direct you on board.

Ferry bags

You can bring one small bag on the ferry (think tote bag). This is just for shoes and a small jacket.

You’ll be wearing these items at first, so all you’ll need in your bag is:

• Second bag tag

• Goggles

• Fuel / gels etc. 

• Tow float for skins or medical needs

• Swim hat in your hand (it’s your boarding pass!)

Ferry bag drop

Shortly before we arrive, we’ll ask you to get ready. Put everything in your bag, tie it up/secure it and attach your bag tag.

We’ll ask you to drop your bag in the correctly numbered area.

The ferries will then moor to large pontoons. Once ready, the first wave (first ferry) will exit down steps onto the pontoons. Slower waves go first, so the order will be orange, red, white then blue.

The edges of the pontoons are at water level so you can either sit down and slide in, or simply step into the water. The video on this page includes the pontoon start (the chain at the edge will be removed on event day).

As always, our world-class safety team will be on hand to assist and support the start and the whole swim.

For swimmers with additional needs, we will contact you directly and adapt the plan to work for you. You can also email us at swim@levelwater.org

Once you’re in the water, settle in and off you go. Enjoy the atmosphere and don’t forget to look up every now and then and enjoy the scenery around you.

This is a journey, not a race!

Swim safety

There will be a full water safety crew on the water at all times. If you need support or you notice another swimmer needs help, please alert one of the paddlers. A safety briefing will be provided before the swim in Dartmouth, and we have a medical team to provide immediate care on and off the water.

How fast do I need to swim?

The 10k swim is for swimmers who can do a mile in under 40 minutes, and experience of open water / outdoor swimming is required.

If you drop behind the main swim, then the safety crew may pick you up and leapfrog you further down river.

The Dart10k is not suitable for plus-40-minute milers.

Feed stations

There will be two feed stations along the route: one at approximately 4km and one at roughly 7km.

There will be flapjacks (VE), bananas (VE/ GF) and jelly babies available.

We will not be able to accommodate individual or personal snacks for swimmers.

Finish

We are very forutnate to have support of the Dart Marina in Dartmouth. The water exit will be via a ramp, followed by a walk up a ramp and through the Marina bar.

Please keep moving and minimise disruption to residents and visitors.

There is then a 300m walk back to the Event Village in Coronation Park.

We expect this will be the best exit for most swimmers with additional needs, but can provide an alternative and will contact you before the event to arrange this.

Spectators will be able to watch the finish from the Dart Marina water frontage and bar area. There is no parking available here! Please be considerate, stay to the water fronatge (do not walk through the car park), and minimise disruption to tenants.

After exiting the water, you’ll pass through through the finish funnel, where we remove your timing chip and wristband.

In the Event Village, you’ll be welcomed with a well-deserved mug of hot chocolate (served in your iconic Dart10k mug!), you can greet your loved ones, get your bag from our baggage store, grab some food and a drink, and join the celebrations.

Once your day is complete, you can board a coach back to the park and ride.

We kindly ask your supporters not to walk up to the ferry boarding point as it will become very congested. They will be able to stand on the water front on Rue de Courseulles Sur Mer, right opposite the event village and wave you off as you head up river.

Spectators cannot board the ferries.

Spectators are then welcome to cheer you on from the Dart Marina water frontage as you arrive back.

Spectators are welcome in the Event Village all day, and can also board our Park and Ride buses for free.

We are an adaptive swimming charity, and so we do everything we can to support swimmers with additional needs.

The ferries are all wheelchair-accessible for boarding.

At the swim start, there are steps down onto the pontoon. We will do everything we can to assist here, and agree personal adaptations for each swimmer.

We expect the main exit will be the best option for most swimmers with additional needs, but can provide an alternative and will contact you before the event to arrange this. This is about 300m from the Event Village.

We will get in touch with swimmers who have stated during registration that they have accessibility needs. Or you can contact us on swim@levelwater.org if you have any queries before we reach out.

If you have any concerns whatsoever about your medical fitness to participate, including a heart condition, please consult with your GP before taking part in the swim.

If you or any of your spectators have had diarrhoea/vomiting within 48 hours before the event, please do not attend. If you become unwell during the event, please let one of the team on site know and kindly head home from the event (as long as it is safe to do so).

• Please bring personal medication if required (eg inhalers, epipens etc). You are allowed to carry these in a tow float during the swim.

• If you’ve been diagnosed with a heart condition, please seek medical advice before you swim. Outdoor swimming can carry increased risks for people with heart conditions.

In order to swim in anything less than wrist-to-ankle neoprene, you must fill out the skin swimmer form. The deadline for submitting this form was the 30th April, so we can no longer accept applications.

The returned skins swimmer applications will be considered, and you will then be informed of our decision by the end of May. The team will be looking at 3 things:

1. Previous documented experience of long-distance swimming without a wetsuit in similar temperatures, e.g., the Channel, Windermere one-way, BLDSA events, Swimtrek events.

2. Current training at similar temperatures (anticipated 14-17 degrees).

3. Willingness to undertake a long-distance practice swim of a similar distance and a similar temperature prior to the event, to ensure you do not become hypothermic.

You do not need to provide notarised evidence, logbooks of your experience or certificates of completion to evidence your experience. We will assess your experience based on your skin-swimming application form, completed by you. We work on the basis that your application is truthful. Where appropriate we verify this by looking at events’ official published results.

The decision of the water safety manager is final and no discussion can be entered into. We advise swimmers to be prepared to wear a wetsuit if asked. All swimmers agree to abide by the event rules.

The bottom line on skins swimmers is that we welcome experienced skins swimmers, who show (on their application form) recent experience and acclimatisation to these distances at this temperature, but we are not the place to do your first long skins swim (or your first long skins swim in a while), as you will not have individual safety support. This rule is for everyone's safety - safety cover is shared. Groups such as the BLDSA offer swims where you provide your own safety cover and are more appropriate for anyone trying a long-distance swim without a wetsuit for the first time.

Please note, your ticket is sold on a “wetsuit compulsory” basis, and if we are unable to grant you skins swimmer permission your ticket is not refundable.

IMPORTANT NOTE - This year, as an additional safety measure, we have introduced mandatory use of tow floats for all skins swimmers at all of our river swims. This means if your skins application is approved, you must bring a tow float and wear it for the duration of the swim. This is for your safety. If you do not wish to wear a tow float, you must swim in a wetsuit.

The closest Environment Agency monitoring point to the swim start is in Stoke Gabriel, which is designated “Poor - do not swim.”

The water quality in Stoke Gabriel is 10x - 30x better than at the previous start in Totnes.

Swimming outdoors always carries elevated health risks, and you should always make an informed personal decision on your risks and risk tolerance.

Each swimmer has signed the Water Quality and safety - Exclusion of Liability during signup.

Terms and Conditions

Route changes

We are not able to offer refunds as a result of the route change. This is laid out in our terms and conditions, particularly clause 6.1.

Entry types

Charity Place

A charity place comes at a reduced fee and with a fundraising target. All the money you raise goes towards one-to-one swimming lessons for children with disabilities across the UK.

General Entry

General Entry gets you access into the Dart10k on your chosen day.

Volunteer & Swim

These tickets are very limited and give you reduced entry to swim one day and volunteer the other. You’ll also receive priority entry for the 2027 Dart10k.

If you do not turn up for your full volunteer shift, the charity will ask you to pay the additional amount of your ticket.

What’s included with your ticket?

The swim! Your entrance fee covers the costs of putting on a complex event like this, including swim safety cover, medical cover, timing/safety chips, an event swim hat and gift.

Can I get a refund?

After the initial 14 day cooling off period we don’t offer refunds on tickets. If you cannot swim then you can transfer your ticket to someone else.

We have an adverse weather cancellation insurance policy. If this is triggered and pays out to us, we will be able to refund an equivalent proportion of your ticket price. The details of this policy are below.

Cancellation by us

Level Water works hard to deliver events that are as safe as possible. The safety of our participants and staff is always our priority. There are inherent risks and challenges of swimming in the sea, river or lakes, which can lead to situations where event cancellation, rescheduling or reformatting is required.

We may have to cancel an event if circumstances beyond our reasonable control arise, including, without limitation, war, civil or political unrest, terrorism, adverse weather or poor water quality.

We are not insured for all event cancellation eventualities.

If circumstances beyond our control require us to cancel the event, then Level Water has no responsibility for any costs you have incurred and unfortunately won’t be able to issue a refund on your ticket purchase unless it is weather related.

Cancellation insurance for adverse weather.

Level Water holds adverse weather event cancellation insurance for our 2026 events.

If we cancel the event due to adverse weather, we will file an insurance claim. If this is successful, the insurance payment will be used to issue refunds or partial refunds.

The final discretion is with the insurer and therefore refunds cannot be guaranteed.

The details of our insurance policy state that;

• The event can proceed in continuous moderate rainfall

• The event can proceed in wind speeds up to 20mph

We have a process in place with our Water Safety Team and the Dart Harbourmaster to ensure that we monitor the weather meticulously in the run up to the event. Level Water will take the decision, based on advice from Swim Safety Limited and the Dart Harbourmaster as to whether or not the swim is safe to go ahead.

We will communicate with you at the earliest possible opportunity if there is a risk of cancellation.

The Dart10k couldn’t happen without the support of our amazing volunteers. So if you’re a swimmer, supporter or just looking to help out please email volunteers@levelwater.org.

Alternatively, you can visit this page and fill out the form. We can never have enough volunteers, bring your friends and family and help make the magic happen. You will get a special gift too!

We will be in touch with Swim and Volunteer ticket holders shortly, with information about the updated roles and timings.