Sunday 18th August 2024, Herne Bay, Kent

 

The Herne Bay Pier to Pier swim is a 750m, 1.5km or 3km, chip timed sea swim, for both experienced and inexperienced sea swimmers to complete in a sheltered course along the coast to Herne Bay’s iconic 19th Century Pier.

Sunday 18th August 2024

About

The 8th Herne Bay Pier to Pier Swim

 

The event is about you and the sea, we don’t provide a medal, t-shirt or goody bag but focus on the elements that our swimmers say they value the most. Your event fee pays for the event services and none of the often unnecessary extras, which means it’s better for the environment too.

Our focus is on ensuring the event is safe and well managed. Coast lifeguards will be present in the sea and along the shore at all times, with additional First Aid cover provided. With chip timing we believe we have the right mix to make an awesome swim experience.

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2023 RESULTS

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EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

FAQ’s

Where is the swim?

The eighth Active Life Pier to Pier Swim will be taking place between Hampton Pier and Herne Bay’s iconic 19th Century Pier.

 

Find us at:

Hampton Pier,

Hampton Pier Avenue

Hampton

Herne Bay

CT6 8DY.

What time is the Swim?

Registration:

Registration will open at 10:00 and close at 11:15.

Swim Briefing:

All participants will need to attend an event briefing on the day to point out key information and ensure participants understand the course. 

The 3km briefing will take place at 11:20, the 1.5km briefing will take place at 11:30 and the 750m briefing at 11:35

Swim Start:

There will be a few minutes for swimmers to acclimatise and warm up in the water before the air horn starts each swim distance.

3000m: 11:50 and 11:55

1500m: 12:00

750m: 12:05

What distances are available?

We offer a 750m swim, a 1500m swim and a 3000m swim.

The 750m swim will leave from Hampton Pier, head out towards Herne Bay Pier and turn around a large triangular buoy 375m from the start line.

The 1500m swim will leave from Hampton Pier, head out towards Herne Bay Pier and turn around a large triangular buoy 750m from the start line.

The 3000m swim will leave from Hampton Pier all the way to Herne Bay Pier, turning around a large triangular buoy close of the Pier and returning close to the shore back to Hampton Pier.

Are there any restrictions for the swim?

Swimmers need to be aged at least 14 years of age on the 18th August 2024.

If the temperature of the water is 15°C or above, wetsuits are optional. If you choose not to wear a wetsuit, you must use a tow-float for safety reasons. You will need to provide your own tow float.

If the water temperature is under 15°C, wetsuits are compulsory. On the 18th August 2023 the water temperature was 17.8°C.

What does my swim entry include?
  • Full water safety cover
  • Chip timing for all finishers
  • Specific wave swim hat
  • Full lifeguard and medical support
  • A supervised bag storage area
What facilities are available?

There are showers in the swim HQ and a beach shower near Herne Bay Pier, there are toilets inside Swim HQ and in the car park outside.

There is catering onsite throughout the event, serving hot drinks and snacks.

We will provide a bag drop that will be staffed throughout the event. However, we would request that any valuables are not brought to the event.

There is parking at Swalecliffe Avenue Car Park and there is plenty of on street free parking available on most of the side roads around Hampton

How much does it cost?

Early Bird Prices: Available until 30th April 2024

750m swim: £24

1500m swim: £26

3000m swim: £30

Standard Entry Prices: Available from the 1st May 2024 until all places have been sold

750m swim: £29

1500m swim: £31

3000m swim: £35 

Do you offer any Sea Swim Training?

We provide both beginner and intermediate sea swim lessons from April through to August. The Beginner courses are 2 pool and 4 sea sessions and the Intermediate courses are 6hrs of both theory and practical sea swimming delivered over a weekend. For more information about the courses visit: https://events.bookitbee.com/active-life-ltd/

What about poor water quality, will the swim be cancelled?

Although we have never had to cancel an event since we started the Pier to Pier; fines for Southern Water, lobbying by local water quality campaign groups and an increase in testing has brought water quality into the public eye. Our water safety team are responsible for managing the coastline on a day to day basis and providing beach lifeguards throughout the summer months. We are in regular contact and they conduct weekly testing throughout the year, with additional testing in the days leading up to the event. If the water quality is not good, participants will be notified on the Saturday morning and will be automatically transferred over to the reserve day on Sunday 1st September.   

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