CWSC swimming categories
The SLSC UK Cold Water Swimming Championships 2025 will include both individual races and relays. And, as part of the opening ceremony, there will be an ice breaker challenge in aid of our charity partner Crisis.
You can enter as many events as you like. But please remember the water will be cold (around 1-5ºC) and you must acclimatise to cold water before taking part.
You must be aged 10 or over to take part.
Individual races
There are three types of races for individuals – head-up breaststroke, ice fly and freestyle. Most races are 30m (one width of the Lido) but there is also a 90m freestyle race (three widths).
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 event is a great leveller and makes for very competitive races. The rules are simple – you must ensure that your eyes do not go below the water level at any time during the race.
You are encouraged to wear a warm hat for this race, or get crafty and create your own headwear – the more outlandish the better. The winners of the Best hat competition will be announced towards the end of the Champs.
Ice fly
Our name for butterfly – simultaneous arm pull with a dolphin kick.
Freestyle
As the name suggests, freestyle can be whatever stroke you think will get you across the pool fastest. Front crawl is the stroke of choice for most people, but you can use a different stroke, if you prefer.
Age groups for individual races
All individual races will be divided into age categories, determined by your age on 31 December 2027.
AA series: 10-14 years (those born 2013-2017)
A series: 15-19 years (those born 2008-2012)
B series: 20-29 years (those born 1998-2007)
C series: 30-39 years (those born 1988-1997)
D series: 40-49 years (those born 1978-1987)
E series: 50-59 years (those born 1968-1977)
F series: 60-69 years (those born 1958-1967)
G series: 70-79 years (those born 1948-1957)
H series: 80 years and over (those born in 1947 or before)
Relay races
Teams in the 4x30m freestyle relays consist of four competitors who each swim 30m (one width of the Lido).
Teams must be mixed or all female and can represent their country, town, club or simply be a group of friends or family.
There are three categories in the relays, based on the combined ages of your team: under 160, 160 – 200 and over 200.
For example, if your team members are 25, 27, 33 and 35 years old respectively, the combined age would be 120 years and you would be in the Under 160 category. If all team members were 46, you would be in the 160 – 200 category.
The person entering the team is the team captain. Changes to team members will be allowed until 14 January 2027 by emailing your changes to coldswim@slsc.org.uk
Crisis ice breaker challenge
If all that racing sounds a bit too competitive, take the icy plunge and raise money for charity by joining in our ice breaker challenge in aid of Crisis, the charity to end homelessness.
Splash in, jump out, then head to the marquee for a lovely cup of tea!
