Carsington Water, Derbyshire

12/07/2025

Swimming in Carsington water outside of this event.

As it stands this is the only opportunity to swim in Carsington Water.

There is a lot of work taking place behind the scenes to facilitate safe, managed open water swimming in the very near future.

We strongly discourage anyone attempting to enter the water outside of this event, it can be dangerous and may jeopardise the strong progress being made to open up new opportunities. Please respect the site, the staff, the venue, THE LAW by not entering the water (to swim) at any other time.

12/07/2025

Distance: 1 mile, 2 miles, 3 miles or 4 miles.

Time: 7:00am - 10:00am

Final lap cut off 9:25am

Start/Finish: Carsington Visitor Centre,

Carsington Water

Entry Fee: from £32.00

Entry Fee Includes:

Finisher medal

Reusable silicone swim hat

Full medical support

Water safety

Chip timing

Event guide

Feed station

Please Note, By arriving on the start line you are confirming your ability to participate. It is the athletes responsibility to ensure that they are fit and well. If you're in any doubt please consult a medical professional.

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The Course

Start/Finish: Carsington Visitor Centre

Distance: 1 Mile / 1.6km per lap

Feed stations: Available after each lap

Start from 07:00am

Finish 10:00am

Mens Lap Record: Jorge Thompson 25:06

Womens Lap Record: Heather Hall 25:08

Click to enlarge image

EventTimetable

All times are provisional

12/07/2025

Car park opens

Event registration

4 Mile START

3 Mile START

2 Mile START

1 Mile START

Course closed

5:30am

7:00am

7:15am

7:30am

8:00am

10:00pm

Click me

2024 Results

Wetsuits

Please note the temperature ranges before entering the event.

15.9c and under = wetsuit compulsory
16c and above = wetsuit optional in all distances
24c = Advisory Non-wetsuit

If the water temperature does not reach 16c, this will be a wetsuit compulsory event. Please consider this when entering. There will be no transfers or refunds made because of the wetsuit policy.

The upper limit is discretional. We advise that you don't wear a wetsuit above these temperatures but acknowledge not everyone is here to swim as fast as possible and might require the extra warmth.

The policy has been agreed with the reservoir owners using industry best practice and our collective knowledge of the venue. Temperatures will be adhered to; no exceptions will be made. Unfortunately, we cannot make additional allowances for experience or preference. We appreciate your continued understanding.

SwimFloats

Swim floats are compulsory for this event

They are designed to make you visible without impeding your natural swimming stroke.

We loan our swim floats for free to all competitors. No need to book, no need to make any arrangements.

They will be ready to collect on the evening of Carsington Island Swim.

We believe that they offer our swimmers the best possible safety during our event.

GeneralInformation

Race Briefing

The race briefing/event guide will be online a week prior to the event. Please ensure that you familiarise yourself with it.

There will be a basic re-cap before the first wave of swimmers starting.

Start times

Each wave will start on a mass start. All athletes will tread water until the starter sounds the horn.

Front crawl or breastroke?

Either is absolutely fine. We're also not judging technique - come and enjoy the event and the wonderful location.

Cut off times

The final and strict cut off is a strict 10:00am

There is a cut off for swimmers starting their final lap which is 9:25pm

Transfers, refunds or deferrals

Please take out refund protect if you would like to safeguard against injuries and other issues. We will not refund unwanted entries as each entry represents a significant investment from Pacesetter Events.

Swim float hire

Free to all athletes, no need to book. Ask at registration and they'll be happy to help.

Can a first timer take part?

Absolutely, we recommend gaining some experience first, but you're certainly welcome as a first timer.

Water quality

The swim course is tested regularly as we approach the event.

Rules

Please do not pass on your entry without informing us. Changing entries will only be considered within the transfer policy.

The person registered must turn up to race registration on the evening of the race.

What will you receive before the race?

We will email a race guide 1 week before the event. You will collect your swim hat at registration. We will not send anything in the post.

On site facilities

There are a number of facilities on site. Permanent toilet blocks are scattered throughout the site.

Cafe facilities where you can buy hot and cold food and drink.

There will be temporary changing facilities available. Please use those rather than the toilet facilities for changing.

Official swim hats

You have a choice of pink or yellow - first come first served.

You must wear one of the official event swim hats as they are visible to the safety team.

Parking

Car parks open from 5:30am

the site operates an ANPR system. Parking is not included in your entry fee however you can pre pay for your parking at a special rate of £3.50 per car (50% discount at the standard rate). This needs to be purchased during registration with your vehicle registration provided. Failure to provide the correct details may result in a PCN. Normal parking chargs apply for those paying on the day.

Official Charity

Pacesetter is proud to support the Matt Hampson Foundation.