Entries Open 1st November 2026

Registration available here Natural spring challenge entry form

Event Full. To register your interest in the event of a swimmer dropping out please use the form here waiting list

 

NATURAL SPRING WATER CHALLENGE

Where?

Matlock Bath – Derbyshire

New Bath Hotel and Spa, Matlock Bath, DE4 3PX

The New Bath Hotel and Spa was originally opened in May 1745 and housed a basement plunge bath and swimming pool fed by naturally warmed spring water.  The temperature varies between 15 degrees C in the depth of winter and 23 degrees C on a very hot summer’s day.

What?

It’s a tough Challenge – it’s not a race or a competition

Swim for 12 miles – 1 mile on the hour (or half hour) EVERY hour

(Some further options for slower swimmers)

What can I wear?

Wear what you want – traditional swimwear, full/short wetsuit

(No swim aids such as flippers etc)

Consider the weather in April though – this is an unheated but geothermal 40 yard outdoor pool – you will get cold!

Who can Enter?

Solo swimmers – £175 per swimmer

Relay swimmers of up to 3 team members – Team of 2 £205, Team of 3 £235

(The number of relay teams may be restricted and all team members must be of a similar speed.  If speeds are very different, you will be allocated the lane relevant to the slowest swimmer)

Enjoy the pure freshness of the natural geo-thermal spring in a stunning setting as well as feeling the quality, purity and balance of the mineral-rich water.

Experienced swimmers – looking for a distance challenge or preparation for long, cold swims

Novice swimmers and “Swimblers” – looking to build confidence and to see how far you can go and simply enjoy the experience (maybe with a buddy)

How will it work?

Places are limited.  There will be a maximum of 55 swimmers – these will be allocated as follows:

• 20 in fast lane – 10 on the hour and 10 on the half hour

(Fast swimmers of less than 30 minutes)

• 20 in medium lane – 10 on the hour and 10 on the half hour

(Medium swimmers – 31 to 36 minutes)

• 15 in slow lane – all 15 on the hour – this lane is slightly larger than the other two

(Slower swimmers – 37 minutes plus.  You may wish to consider swimming as part of a relay to allow for sufficient recovery time unless you want almost a full 12 hour swim!)

Other options are available for swimmers of 40/45 minutes plus (Please ask)

Please do not under/over-estimate your mile swim time as we want to maintain a friendly swim event – we all know it is annoying to be constantly held up or overtaken.  You may not be able to complete your full mile if you do not maintain your swim speed.

BLDSA retain the right to create overlap in any of the lanes depending on the number of swimmers and their speed.  There is a possibility of more than 10 swimmers in the fast and medium lane if some swimmers have not quite completed their mile

Other info

Swimmers can either count their own laps or bring a buddy as a lap counter

You may miss a mile if you want a longer rest period and then join in for subsequent miles but you will not be allowed to join a mile once that session has begun

Hot drinks available free to swimmers all day

Goody bag – Swim Cap, Mug, Woolly hat, T Shirt

Hot soup during event for swimmers

You will need plenty of towels and warm, dry clothes for between your swims.  You may be outdoors for most of the day – you will likely be cold and therefore lots of thin layers are recommended for warmth.

Freestyle (crawl) or breaststroke only.

Facilities

It is envisaged that most swimmers would book a room at the hotel to take advantage of the facilities there as the event will have an early start due to its 12 hour nature – the pool is situated immediately outside the rooms of the annexe area

There are changing rooms and toilet facilities pool side

We hope to have heated marquee for swimmers’ use between swims

Hot tubs for swimmers’ use

Any questions can be emailed to the swim organiser

springchallenge@bldsa.org.uk

For more information about the Open Air Pool at New Bath Hotel, FAQ’s can be found here

Matlock New Bath Hotel and Spa Pool FAQs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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