Trifarm Wild Swim Relay 2025: What a Weekend!

3 Jul

A Weekend to Remember at Trifarm Lake

Wow. What a weekend.
It was an absolute honour to be back at Trifarm Lake. Looking back, it hardly seems real — perfect weather, gorgeous surroundings, and a community of lovely humans coming together for an incredible cause.

Together, we raised £29,000 to provide swimming lessons for children with disabilities — that's £4,000 over our target. A smashing success!

Setting the Scene

The weekend kicked off with an exciting start as the wind added a little extra drama to set-up. Swimmers arrived on Friday and began pegging down their blustery tents around the lake.

Trifarm isn’t usually a campsite, but the vibrant tents brought the area to life. After settling in, most swimmers rested up for the big day ahead.

Saturday Begins: Volunteers & Vibes

First thing Saturday, our incredible volunteers arrived to help. Swimmers checked in at the registration tent where they were greeted by the lovely Amanda Bowden and Jo Rosier — who, though not swimming this year, came to support in every way they could.

Teams rolled in, picked up their iconic pink swim hats and badges, and a wave of nervous excitement spread as the moody skies offered some relief from the sun.

In the Water: The Relay Begins

With the countdown complete, swimmers hit the water in high spirits. Volunteers cheered and tracked each participant in and out of the lake, as the group enjoyed the “cool” 24-degree water — cooler than the air, at least!

Meanwhile, the campsite buzzed. People shared food, visited the café, warmed up in the sauna, and grabbed bites from the food truck — all while the fundraising total climbed higher.

Through the Night: The Tough Keep Swimming

Trifarmers are a tough crowd — and this year’s overnight swimmers were nothing short of inspiring. We salute Helen Smith, along with Halani, Luke, Jack, and Fay, plus two brave duo teams who swam through the night, encouraging each other every stroke of the way.

Then, something magical happened...

As the sun set, the lake came alive with twinkling lights dancing on the rippling surface. Each swimmer was marked with two lights, while flashing buoys and ever-watchful kayakers ensured safety. At 10pm, the 12-hour swimmers wrapped up their challenge and celebrated before heading off for a well-earned rest.

Dawn and the Final Stretch

Throughout the night, swimmers took turns — and on this warm summer evening, there were hardly any wetsuits in sight!

By sunrise, only a few hours remained. Team members rallied to support one another through the final push. At 9am, all swimmers were invited for the final lap, followed by team photos and well-deserved celebrations.

Every Stroke Counts

Ruth Hatch, lake manager, swim teacher, and Level Water trainee instructor, reminds us that every £15 raised pays for one swimming lesson for a child with a disability. None of this is possible without your support — and Trifarm’s.