Scottish Winter Swimming Championships
Info: New entries for this event closed on Saturday 5th February 2022.
| SATURDAY - 50m Freestyle (per person) | £30.00 | |
| SATURDAY - 50m Head-up Breaststroke (per person) | £30.00 | |
| SATURDAY - 50m Ice Fly (per person) | £30.00 | |
| SATURDAY - 450m Endurance (per person) | £65.00 | |
| SATURDAY - 4 x 50m Freestyle Mixed Team Relay (per team) | £100.00 | |
| SUNDAY - 150m Freestyle (per person) | £40.00 | |
| SUNDAY - 150m Breaststroke (per person) | £40.00 | |
| SUNDAY - 4 x 50m 'Anything Goes' Relay (per team) | £100.00 |
The next Scottish Winter Swimming Championships will be held over 2 days at Taymouth Marina on 5th and 6th March 2022.
This is an International Winter Swimming Association (IWSA) event and will include short individual races, team relays and a tough endurance challenge. You may enter single or multiple races - or get a group of friends, family or colleagues together and enter a relay team. Please remember the water will be cold (around 1 - 5ºC) and you must acclimatise to cold water before swimming in these races.
Individual Races - All races will be run under IWSA rules
There are three different stroke choices for individuals – freestyle, head up breaststroke and ice fly. Races of each stoke will be 50m or two widths of the marina. There will also be longer breaststroke and freestyle races of 150m and a freestyle 450m for those looking for an endurance challenge.
Freestyle
As the name suggests, in the freestyle race you can use any stroke you like in order to propel yourself across a width of the marina as quickly as possible. Front crawl is the stroke of choice for most people, but you can in fact swim any stroke you like.
Head up breaststroke
Head up breaststroke is the traditional cold water swimming style. As the head is above the water at all times it allows swimmers to compete in ice-cold conditions without getting brain freeze.
The rules are simple – you must ensure that your eyes do not go below the water level at any time during the race. The event is a great leveller and makes for very competitive races.
Swimmers are encouraged to wear a warm hat for this race, or get crafty and create their own headwear – the more outlandish the better. The winner of the best hat of the competition will be crowned at the grand prize-giving ceremony for the Best Hat of the Day.
Ice fly
A race using butterfly stroke – simultaneous arm pulls with a dolphin kick. The finish is with two hands at or above water level.
Endurance Race
This will be a tough 450m (18 widths of the marina) race for experienced cold water swimmers only.
In order to compete in this race, you will need to prove that you have swum 200m in 5 degrees or less in the 2021/22 winter season as per the IWSA Rules. You will need to bring your qualifying swim form with you on the day, signed by you and your witness, or you will not be able to compete in this event.
A medical exam will be held for endurance swimmers on the swimming day. The medical exam shall include, but not be limited to, a blood pressure test and drug and alcohol evaluation.
Endurance swimmers must have a registered assistant - a trusted person who knows the swimmer and can confirm the swimmer's ability to swim the endurance distance, and is able to provide the needed support to the swimmer until he or she is fully recovered.
The assistant must:
- follow the swimmer to the pool area;
- stay at the start end of the lane all the time during the swim;
- make a sign to the judge to stop the swimmer's race in a case of suspecting the swimmer to behave inadequately so continuing the swim may result in danger to his or her life and health;
- support the swimmer after the swim, during recovery procedures until he or she is fully recovered.
Please read IWSA Rules For Endurance Swim (Section 6) carefully before entering this race.
There is a strict time cap of 15 minutes for this event.
Relay races
Mixed team relay (IWSA Rules) - Teams in the 4x50m freestyle relays consist of four competitors who each swim 50m (two widths of the marina). Teams must be mixed (at least one man and one woman) and can represent their country, town, club or simply be a group of friends or family. The person entering the team will be the team captain. Relay team are invited to come up with a unique team name and are welcome to dress up accordingly!
‘Anything Goes’ relay (Not run under IWSA Rules) - Open category relay. Teams in the 4x50m freestyle relays consist of four competitors who each swim 50m (two widths of the marina). Any combination of team accepted. All female/all male teams should enter this category. Neoprene socks/gloves/accessories allowed. Wetsuits are allowed. Fancy dress encouraged.
The age groups
All individual races will be divided into age categories. The age groups are determined by your age on 31 December 2022.
The age groups are as follows:
- A series: 18-19 years (those born in 2003 + 2004) – competitors must be at least 18 years old on the date of the event.
- B series: 20-29 years (those born in 1993 – 2002)
- C series: 30-39 years (those born in 1983 – 1992)
- D series: 40-49 years (those born in 1973 – 1982)
- E series: 50-59 years (those born in 1963 – 1972)
- F series: 60-69 years (those born in 1953 – 1962)
- G series: 70-79 years (those born in 1943 – 1952)
- H series: 80 years and over (those born in 1942 or before)
Participants in all events must be 18 years or over on the day of the competition.
Race Timings
Here is a rough outline of the event timings over the weekend. Times may vary, but the order should stay the same.
SATURDAY 5th March
08:00-09:00 - Registration for 450m swimmers only
09:00 - Safety briefing for 450m swimmers only
09:15-12:30 - 450m Races
09:15-12:30 - Registration for all other Saturday swimmers
12:45-16:00 - All 50m Races
16:15-17:00 - Mixed Freestyle Relays
17:45 - Prize giving
SUNDAY 6th March
08:00 - 09:30 - Registration for all Sunday swimmers
09:00-11:30 - All 150m Races
11:30-12:30 - Anything Goes Relays
13:00 - Prize Giving
Location - Taymouth Marina, Kenmore, Aberfeldy PH15 2HW
Taymouth Marina will be the venue for the Scottish Winter Swimming Championships. Races will be held within the easily accessible marina area. There is also a fabulous sauna and hot tub meters away, perfect for warming up after braving the icy waters of Loch Tay!
Accommodation is available on site and a 15% discount is available to any new bookings. Quote “SWSC22” when booking over the phone (01887 830216) or by booking online and inputting this code in the comments section. Code valid for dates 3rd – 7th March inclusive & must be a 3-night minimum stay. T&Cs apply, speak to Taymouth Marina for more details.
View the Event Disclaimer / Terms and Conditions.
This event offers the option to purchase XCover, so that participants may be able to get a refund if they are unable to attend due to unforeseen circumstances.
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