The Club to Pub, Henley Swim’s summer evening swim in the heart of Henley-on-Thames, near London, has reportedly sold out within one week of going on sale. This is an encouraging sign for UK events and for open water swimming in particular as the country edges out of lockdown.
‘The demand for the event has been huge, and there is already a waiting list forming for swimmers still hopeful to get a chance to swim on Saturday July 24th.’
This event has always been popular. The lure of a beer at the end and a medal that doubles as a bottle opener attracts swimmers from all over the country. In 2020 the event had a temporary relocation to Temple Island Meadows where additional space allowed the event to take place with social distancing in a covid secure manner.
In 2021, assuming the UK government’s roadmap plays out, the event will return to its town centre location, and will finish at the Angel on the Bridge where around 750 swimmers will toast their achievement of completing the 1.5km swim in the Thames.
Director of Operations Juliet Hume said “Following a tricky 2020, it is great to see confidence in outdoor sporting events returning. The speed at which we have sold out shows that people are keen to return to normality, and have confidence that by the summer they will be able to once again take part in mass participation events.
However, having delivered two very successful covid secure events last year, we know that, should it be necessary, we will be able to put measures in place to do so again.”
Henley Swim has three other open water events in the Thames between June and August, which have reportedly all seen a significant uplift in registrations following the UK government’s roadmap announcements.
