For 2026, we are going to try something a little different.  We are going to cancel our usual Derwentwater Triangular Swim and replace it with a relay on Ullswater.

We invite you to sign up to this swim as a group of up to 5 people.  This event is designed to be a little bit of something for everyone and is intended to rely on your team as a whole to complete the course.  This means that one of you will be the driver of a vehicle to make sure your swimmers are at the changeover points when required, one of you will be the kayak support for your team and one person will be swimming.  This does not have to be the same person for the entire swim, the roles can be swapped and changed to allow everyone to swim/kayak/drive.

We have identified 5 different “legs” for the swim, each of which is a different distance – the shortest being 1km and the longest 5.3km.  This will give people of different abilities/ages to swim in Ullswater and entrants can swim more than one “leg” if wished or “legs” can be joined up to make them longer if desired.

The swim will start at Glenridding and the changeover points are Glencoyne Bridge, Aira Force, Howtown Pier, Waterside House and finishing at a small beach at Pooley Bridge.  We would ask teams to submit their plan no later than Friday 31^st July 2026.

The member price for this event is £120 per team (£60 for a Junior team).  If you need kayak support, this can be provided at an extra cost of £120.

For any other information, please contact the organiser, Michelle Hardy, on ullswaterswim@bldsa.org.uk who will be happy to help answer any questions.

Free Circuit Swim at Bala Lake (North Wales) for entrants of the Natural Spring Water Challenge (Matlock Bath)

This offer is open to all entrants of the Natural Spring Water Challenge held at Matlock Bath on Saturday 11^th April 2026 (even if you have already entered).

We invite you to join us for a free swim in Bala in North Wales on Saturday 4^th July 2026.  There are various circuit swims on offer – 1km, 2km, 3km and 4km.  All we ask is that you join the Association as a swimming member – this will also enable you to book any other 2026 swims at a discounted member rate.

Closing Date of offer – Please buy your membership and register your intention to swim by 30^th April 2026.

If you have already purchased your membership, this offer is still open to you but you will need to register your interest by 30^th April 2026.

This offer does not include the 1 Way or 2 Way swims.

All information is available from springchallenge@bldsa.org.uk