Watersedge Wild Swim Relay 2025

5 Sept

Photos by Nina Sarfas @ninasarfasphotography

A Weekend to Remember

The community that came together at this year’s Watersedge Wild Swim Relay was nothing short of inspiring. From the first peg hammered into the ground until the last flag was packed away, there was nothing but good vibes to be found around the lake.

Fundraising Success

The event has raised an astonishing £96,000 for children’s swimming lessons so far – and is predicted to hit the magical £100,000 once all final donations are counted.

A Community of Swimmers

Some team members had swum together for years, while others arrived as strangers and left as the best of friends. Some were regular lake swimmers, others had travelled miles – one lady even flew down from Scotland to be there!

Arrival and Set-Up

When the gates opened at 8am, swimmers began arriving, following the pink flag from the car park to the camping field. The campsite quickly transformed from a blank space into a buzzing community of tents, chairs, and camping stoves.

Kind volunteers ensured everyone got parked, set up, and registered in the (thankfully) dry weather. At 11:30am, a show of hands revealed the mix of newcomers and seasoned Wild Swim Relayers. Gasps followed the announcement that we’d be swimming anti-clockwise – a break from tradition! Finally, a reminder of the fundraising purpose brought everyone together in the spirit of giving.

The First Swim

With a countdown from ten, the first swimmers hit the water at midday – accompanied by joyful music and a flash of colour. All the flares used were carefully disposed of outside of the lake. And so it began.

Rain, Resilience, and Inspiration

Saturday afternoon brought rain, but swimmers pressed on, changing over each hour throughout the day.

Karen Forrester, a Level Water swim teacher visited the event last year and called everyone “mad” for swimming outside. This year she returned with a team of seven ready to swim through the night. Five children from her assisted swimming lessons also visited – and even enjoyed a swim in the lake while the fundraisers powered round. Their presence was a powerful reminder of the life-saving skill all the fundraising supports.

Night Swimming and Sunrise

As night fell, swimmers swapped stories around the fire-pit. Out on the water, stars sparkled overhead while swimmers’ lights traced graceful lines around the lake.

By morning, the skies had cleared. A spectacular sunrise rewarded those who had pushed through the damp evening before. Swimmers finished their final laps under a shining sun, before everyone entered the lake for a celebratory final swim.

The Watersedge team kept spirits high (special shout-out to Minty on the mic), while Nina captured joyful moments of triumph at the finish.

Closing Moments

As (mostly) dry tents were packed away and hugs were shared, gratitude was directed towards Watersedge owners Emily and Sophie. Their hard work ensures the venue grows stronger each year, while their hands-on leadership – from litter-picking to latte-making – sets the tone for the welcoming community spirit that defines Watersedge.

One exhausted but smiling swimmer summed it up best: