Organiser: Aberdovey Swim
“Those who swim against the tide know its strength”
One constant in life is that the tide will come in, the tide will go out. Work with it, work against it, embrace it.
Aberdovey Swim brings you five unique tidal swims in one stunningly beautiful estuary. Choose from a 1.5k, 4k, 6k, 8k and 13k distances, and enjoy the effects of gravitational pull from celestial bodies.
Aberdovey Swim was founded by Mike Alexander in 2017. The idea was conceived early in 2012 when he started working for The Outward Bound Trust. With countless canoe and kayak journeys, jog & dips, jetty jumps and lots of personal swimming in the Dovey (Dyfi) estuary it seemed crazy to Mike that hardly anyone swam in such a beautiful and dynamic stretch of water. He later found that many wanted to but they lacked confidence in tidal water.
After lots of reccie swimming the first Aberdovey Swim was held with great success in September 2017. Great thanks go to the Dovey Yacht Club, The Outward Bound Trust and Head Swimming for helping it get off the ground.
Aberdovey Swim has now brought people from far and wide to embrace the tide, and encouraged locals to use simple tidal planning to make the most of this fabulous estuary.
Another estuary further up the coast is also well-used by Outward Bound, the Mawddach. For a change from canoes in February 2013 Mike swam 10km from Penmaenool to Barmouth in the Mawddach estuary. One day he hopes to join the two estuaries in a 50km swimrun journey.
If you are not ready for the tide or you just fancy some fresh water swimming in a beautiful location then try our new event: Tal Y Llyn Swim, a glacial ribbon lake that lies at the foot of one of Snowdonia’s most iconic mountains – Cadair Idris.
Through a partnership with The Tyn Y Cornel Hotel (owners of the lake) we have improved access to Tal Y Llyn for swimmers. If you want to swim in the lake independently just call into the hotel to let them know and be sure to buy some tea and cake! Cerist Triathlon Club now regularly train there. It’s great to see so many people enjoying such a stunning swim spot.