Swim England Open Water National Masters Championships returns for 2023

Swim England’s Open Water Masters National Championships will return for 2023, the first time the event has taken place in four years.

The coronavirus pandemic forced the cancellation of the competition in both 2020 and 2021 – with the Open Water National Age Group Championships managing to return to action after a two-year hiatus last August.

The dates and venues for the competition have also been confirmed, which will be a welcome return to national competition for open water swimmers.

It will take place on Sunday 30 July at Rother Valley Country Park, the day after this year’s Open Water National Age Group Championships are held at the same venue.

A new event

Swim England’s Open Water Masters Championships welcomes hundreds of the best open water swimmers in the country, contesting races over 2, 3 and 5k.

And for the first time as part of the championships, this year’s competition will include team relay events. The relay events will be contested in three categories: female, male and mixed teams consisting of two males and two females competing in a 4x400m relay races.

Bob Bolton, open water specialist for the Masters Working Group believes the inclusion of relays gives swimmers more of an opportunity to get involved.

He said: “It’s great to see the return of a Swim England Open Water Masters National Championships.

“We think this event appeals to many Masters as it offers the choice to swim in three different distances and, if this still does not appeal to you, there’s now the option of a 4x400m relay.”

Masters Working Group chairperson, Jeroen Peters, added: “I am particularly excited to see the innovation of the 4x400m relays in these Open Water Championships.

“With individual events earlier in the day, the relays offer competitors a realistic option for a second, shorter swim later on. We hope you all share our excitement of these additions.”

You can find out more about the event by reading the event conditions here. Further information about the championships, including details of when entries open, will be confirmed in due course.