Thank you for signing up to take part in Swim Solstice
Please find below advance information for the evening.
This Information will be updated as we progress towards the event.
RACE BRIEFING
The new race briefing video has been updated below:
Clarifications
- Please go by the timetable below for the event and ignore any specific times mentioned in the video above.
- When you exit the water to the feed station under the arch stops your lap time/completes the lap. It doesn’t stop the 3 hours.
EVENT INFORMATION
EVENT SCHEDULE
- 5.00pm: Registration Open, Food etc available on site.
- 7.00pm-7.15pm: Swim Starts
- 9.30pm: Lights Mandatory
- 10pm-10.15pm: Swims Finish
TRAVEL
Thorpe Lakes is located near Chertsey in Surrey. It is about 5-10 minutes’ drive from the M25 (Junction 11).
Thorpe Lakes, Thorpe Road, Chertsey, Surrey. KT16 8PH
RACE PREPARATION & RACE TIMING
REGISTRATION
Open 5.00pm-6.30pm
Registration will take place in a gazebo on arrival at Thorpe Lakes facing onto the lake. This will operate in a one way flow whereby on completing registration you will head straight into the athlete area.
SWIM TEAM AREA
There is a large grassed area next to the water entry point that will be used by swimmers between turns in the water or during breaks.
Please ensure that social distancing is maintained between groups at all times, no more than 6 people are permitted in any one group.
CHANGING
There are individual changing cubicles available in the race village.
RACE BRIEFING
There will be no briefing on the day – all briefings will be completed electronically.
SPECTATORS & REFRESHMENTS
Refreshments & Food will be available for purchase from the bar in the clubhouse during and post race.
PLEASE ENSURE YOU HAVE FULLY READ ALL RACE INFORMATION PRIOR TO THE BRIEFING
COURSE SUMMARY

SWIM START
The race will start at 7pm prompt with an individual start with one swimmer entering the water and beginning their swim every 10 seconds. Your 3 hours will start from the point you enter the water.
You or your team will complete as many laps as possible within the 3-hour time limit.
After 9pm you will be required to exit the water at the end of your next lap and illuminate yourself and your tow float with the provided glow sticks. You are only required to swim with a tow float on for the final hour as we head into twilight. At 9.30pm the lap will reduce to 500m effectively meaning all laps in the final half hour count double.
DURING THE EVENT
The race will be electronically chip timed with results broadcast live on the night including sms updates.
On completion of each lap, you will come back past the start where you can either continue on to the next lap or exit the water to the support area. Upon exiting the water you will be able to access our feed station, aid stations, and relay handover. Please proceed quickly through this area and either re enter the water or exit back to the grass athlete area.
Results will be available live landside with a screen displaying the number of laps completed.
Splits will be available for each lap.
RELAY HANDOVERS
There is a separate swim in and out for this event and the area between the two serves as a feed stations and handover area. To avoid this area becoming too congested do not stand at the railing until you are ready to handover.
The best way for athletes to signal they are ready to handover in the water is to locate your team members in the athlete area on the bank as you swim past and shout from there. Then they can go to the handover point and be ready to swap.
ON COMPLETION OF THE EVENT
On completion of the event please pack up your belongings and make your way back over the bridge to your car. You may want to bring a head torch to aid this process.
WETSUITS
This will be a wetsuit optional event and we anticipate water temperatures in the region of 20-21 degrees based on current weather forecasts and temperatures.
RACE PREPARATION
Thorpe Open Water Swim is open for general swimming on various evenings and Weekend mornings so if you are nervous about swimming in open water for the first time or just want a chance to practice in the venue why not get in touch and come down.
AWARDS
Results will be available online and awards will be sent out in the post after the event. Due to Covid prevention measures we are unable to issue awards on the day,