The Big Swim 2026

Brighton is gearing up for the fourth edition of The Big Swim, which takes place this Saturday, 14 March 2026, at Brighton Sea Lanes on 300 Madeira Drive. This event is held to mark International Women's Day and focuses on themes of female resilience. The organisers are aiming for a total of 1,000 participants across both the Brighton and Sandbanks locations. While the event is centred on women, it is open to people of all genders who wish to participate as allies. This year marks a shift in accessibility, as it is the first time the event has integrated wheelchair and adaptive swimmers into the programme.

If you are planning to head down, the schedule begins with registration at 11:45, followed by a safety briefing at 12:45. There is a group warm-up at 13:00 and a photo at 13:10, with the swim itself starting at 13:20 and concluding by 14:00. Tickets are priced at £10, with £2 from each entry going to the charity Surfers Against Sewage. While tickets are non-refundable, they are transferable if your plans change. A specific requirement for entry is that each participant must commit to an action that supports or elevates women in their community, which is registered at the time of purchase.

Regarding safety and preparation, the local RNLI crew will be on-site throughout the event. Participants are encouraged to check the Safer Seas and Rivers Service app for any updates on water quality before heading into the sea. As for what to wear, the organisers suggest choosing warm and bright clothing for the swim. It is a straightforward setup designed to bring people together for a shared activity, and the inclusion of adaptive swimmers and the community action requirement are central parts of how this year’s event is structured.