Bantham Swoosh - what to expect

The Bantham Swoosh is a 6km downstream river swim from Aveton Gifford to Bantham Beach.

• You start in calm, slack water at the top of the estuary

• The river is narrow & quiet early on, then gradually opens out

• Fresh water slowly becomes salt water - you’ll feel & taste the change

• In the final kilometre or two, the tide accelerates you dramatically

• You curve towards the beach & finish on soft sand in front of cheering crowds

The final “swoosh” is genuinely exhilarating. The tide can carry you two to four times faster than your usual speed, even if you don’t realise it’s happening.

Although the tide helps at the end, you should feel comfortable swimming around 5km continuously before taking this on. The first part of the swim is unassisted, & fatigue management matters.

There is also a Mini Swoosh, which offers a shorter, more accessible version.

Bantham Boomerang - what to expect

The Boomerang is a tidal out-and-back swim starting & finishing at Bantham Beach.

• You swim upriver with the incoming tide

• When the tide turns, so do you

• You then swoosh back downriver to the beach finish

There’s no fixed distance. Most swimmers cover somewhere between 5km and 10km, depending on speed & conditions. You choose how long you swim for, typically 1.5 to 2.5 hours.

It’s slower & more subtle than the Swoosh, with less dramatic tidal assistance, but incredibly immersive. It feels more like becoming part of the river than completing a set challenge.

Preparing for Bantham Swoosh & Boomerang

These swims are joyful, but they’re not casual. Preparation makes the difference between surviving & truly enjoying them.

Build real distance confidence
You don’t need to have swum the full distance in training, but you do need a solid base. Gradual build-up matters more than ticking off a number.

Get open water experience first
River swimming brings colder water, limited visibility & no pool lines. Spend time outdoors before race day so nothing feels unfamiliar.

Practise sighting & navigation
The river snakes & bends. Being able to lift your head, check your line & avoid drifting into the edges is key.

Don’t rely on the tide
For the Swoosh in particular, the tide gives you a gift at the end, but you earn it first. Go in prepared to swim most of the distance under your own steam.

Stay relaxed & take it in
Level Water actively encourage swimmers to pause, look around & enjoy the scenery. This is one of the most beautiful swims you’ll ever do.

Choose comfort over speed
You can alternate between front crawl & breaststroke if you want. There are no cut-off times, & no pressure to rush.

Is this event right for you?

‍Bantham Swoosh & Boomerang are ideal if you:

• Want a beautiful, memorable long outdoor swim

• Value atmosphere, community & experience over racing

• Are happy swimming steadily for extended periods

• Have some open water experience or are willing to train properly

• Like events where the journey matters as much as the finish

They’re less suited if you want a short, sharp race or are brand new to outdoor swimming with minimal preparation.

‍

A note from Rebecca

These are two of the most beautiful swims I’ve ever done. From the quiet start, to the changing river, to the final swoosh into the beach, it’s breathtaking.

The key to having the time of your life is to prepare well. Take the training seriously, practise navigating & arrive calm. Do that, & you’ll finish smiling, already planning to come back.

‍

Ready to train?

Whether you’re eyeing up the Swoosh, the Boomerang, or both, we can help you build the confidence & fitness to enjoy every metre of these iconic river swims.