About the SwimQuest Scilly Swim Challenge

*** PLEASE NOTE: THE ADVERTISED ROUTES ARE OUR IDEAL ROUTES, AND ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE, DEPENDING ON THE WEATHER CONDITIONS ON THE DAY ***

THE ORIGINAL, ICONIC 15KM STAGED SWIM CHALLENGE BETWEEN THE ISLANDS. 6 SWIMS, 6 WALKS. COMPLETE OVER 1 OR 2 DAYS.

Outstandingly beautiful, remote and unspoilt, the Isles of Scilly are every open water swimmer's dream. Just off the coast of Cornwall, this special place boasts ice-white beaches, Caribbean-like blue waters and picture-perfect harbours and bays. Now in its 11th year, the Scilly Swim Challenge showcases some of the very best swimming the UK has to offer, offering participants the chance to swim and walk between the islands, safe in the knowledge they will be looked after by a team of open water experts. The combination of swimming in the cold sea with the backdrop of the beautiful islands & changing (often challenging) conditions is an incredible experience.

In 2024, we will be offering the chance to enter either the One-Day Scilly Swim Challenge, or the Two-Day Scilly Swim Challenge.

THE NEW TRESCO 360 SWIM CHALLENGE. A CIRCUMNAVIGATION OF THE ISLE OF TRESCO, A 3 STAGE SWIM, COMPLETED SOLO OR AS A RELAY OF 2 or 3, OVER 1 DAY.

The second largest island in the Scilly archipelago, Tresco offers beautiful gardens and luxury accomodation on land, but also secluded bays, pristine deserted beaches and aquamarine seas. The Tresco 360 offers you the chance for a complete circumnavigation of the island. To make it more interesting (and safer!) it will be a staged swim, split into 3 legs for a total of about 10 km (1.4 km, 3.8 km, 2.6 km). At each stop there will be time to rest, access your bag, refuel, have a little look round and then restart for the net swim. So this is the opportunity for a stunning 10 km swim solo or then a beautiful setting for a swim with 1 or 2 friends. For the relays, those who do not swim a leg, will walk to the next stop. And it's up to you to split up the legs between members of the relay.

OUR APPROACH

The main focus of the Challenge events is on the swim journey as a group, from one island to another, in varied open water conditions. Emphasis is placed on the challenge aspect (i.e. NOT a race), getting everyone around the course with expert safety cover in place.

ONE DAY SCILLY SWIM CHALLENGE (SATURDAY 14TH SEPTEMBER 2024)

An epic, staged 15km swimming journey. The 15km swim is split into 6 swims, with a short walk in between each:

  • St. Mary’s - St Agnes (2.9km)
  • St. Agnes - Samson (4.8km)
  • Samson - Bryher (1km)
  • Bryher - Tresco (600m)
  • Tresco - St. Martin’s (2.3km)
  • St. Martin’s - St Mary’s (2.8km)

Please note, registration for the 1-day challenge will take place on Friday 13th September, and the post-challenge party will take place on Sunday 15th September / also our contingency day.

TWO DAY SCILLY SWIM CHALLENGE (SUNDAY 8TH & MONDAY 9TH SEPTEMBER 2024)

A slightly more leisurely version of the one-day event, spread across (yes you’ve guessed it) two days!

DAY ONE
  • St. Mary’s - St Agnes (2.9km)
  • St. Agnes - Samson (4.8km)
  • Samson - Bryher (1km)
DAY TWO
  • Bryher - Tresco (600m)
  • Tresco - St. Martin’s (2.3km)
  • St. Martin’s - St Mary’s (2.8km)

Please note, registration for the 2-day challenge will take place on Saturday 7th September, and the post-challenge party will take place on Monday 9th September.

TRESCO 360 (WEDNESDAY 11TH SEPTEMBER 2024)

  • Boat for swimmers from St Mary's to Tresco
  • Swim 1 : 4 km
  • Swim 2 : 3.8 km
  • Swim 3 : 2.6 km
  • Boat for swimmers from Tresco back to St Mary's

Please note, registration for Tresco 360 will take place on Tuesday 10th September

NB. weather can be unpredictable and we run these events with your safety as the main priority. Although we have always managed to swim, it may be the case that swim itineraries have to be adapted to suit weather conditions. Exact timings and event details will be sent out closer to the event date.

ESSENTIAL INFORMATION:

  • Wetsuits and skins welcome (though please be aware you will be swimming in groups and may have to wait for others at times)
  • Sea temperature 14-16 degrees
  • It is important that you are able to maintain our minimum swim speed of 28 minutes / km to ensure we can keep groups together safely and complete the course taking into account tides.
  • Walking between islands is necessary (range from 600m to 2km for the 1 and 2 day challenge, up to 3 km for the Tresco 360 relay)
  • Entrants will be divided into three speed groups (green, orange, red)
  • Tow floats will be required for the event. You can bring your own bright tow float or you can order an event tow float when you book your event place
  • Longest swim 6km
  • Shortest swim 600m
  • Maximum participants on the day 150
  • Spectators welcome (see Spectator tab for details)/li>
  • A race finisher goody bag is included in the entry fee (what is it? It’s a surprise!)

HISTORY OF THE CHALLENGE

The Scilly Swim Challenge started in 2014, and was set up by Dewi Winkle (a Yorkshireman), Nick and Bryony Lishman (Scilly natives /Scillonians). SwimQuest have known and worked with Nick and Dewi for many years - with John Coningham-Rolls, Nick and Dewi working together on some of the first swimming holidays in Scilly, back in 2007.

The Scilly Swim Challenge has now become part of SwimQuest’s family of swimming events and holidays. After a 10th sell-out year, both SwimQuest and the team on Scilly are incredibly excited to welcome swimmers again in 2024.

MORE INFORMATION? FAQS?

Visit the SwimQuest website at www.swimquest.uk.com/ssc