Making Waves with a Roaring Comeback – Six Years Gone, but Back with an Almighty Splash!
The South London Swimming Club (SLSC) is celebrating the resounding success of the UK Cold Water Swimming Championships (CWSC) 2025, which took place at the iconic Tooting Bec Lido on Saturday, 25 January 2025. This year’s event saw an outstanding turnout, with over 700 competitors braving the 5 degree water and hundreds of spectators cheering them on in an unforgettable day of competition and camaraderie.
The CWSC is a true highlight of the winter swimming calendar and had been dearly missed for six long years due to the pandemic and the marvellous £3m refurbishment of the Lido. CWSC 2025 featured its iconic heads-up breaststroke hat competition, which even included a rare Nessie sighting in South West London! Swimmers also took on the icy challenge of Ice Fly and freestyle sprints, while spirited team relays added to the excitement. Participants demonstrated remarkable resilience and passion as they tackled the chilly temperatures with determination and, most importantly, joy.
Beyond the races, attendees enjoyed a vibrant festival atmosphere, warming-up in hot tubs and the beloved SLSC Finnish Sauna, and enjoying a selection of delicious hot food and drinks from local businesses to keep spirits high. The sense of community and celebration was palpable, making this year’s championship one of the most memorable to date.
A dedicated team of 48 bag carriers walked an astonishing 1,540 widths or 46km around the lido to ensure participants’ belongings, including crucial flip-flops to prevent frozen feet, were returned swiftly and safely.
The event’s success was made possible by the incredible efforts of more than 200 volunteers from SLSC, who went above and beyond to create a seamless experience. Volunteers baked cakes, made soup to feed fellow volunteers, prepared gallons of hot Ribena to warm up brave competitors, swept up hot tub spills, sang, timed races, computed race results, commentated, emptied bins, registered competitors, stuffed bags, and handed out medals. Their dedication and energy embodied the true spirit of community and hospitality that makes CWSC so special.
Adding to the excitement, Crisis held two Icebreaker fundraising events on the day. Participants, young and old, took a cold plunge into the unheated lido to support Crisis and step out of their comfort zones to help end homelessness, raising £26,000 on the day.
SLSC extends its heartfelt gratitude to all participants, volunteers, and supporters who made CWSC 2025 an outstanding success. Plans for the next event are already underway, and we look forward to welcoming swimmers back for even more thrilling action in the future!
For more information, photos, and race results, visit www.slsc.org.uk/cwsc.
