Wild Dart Swim and Aquathlon, Sunday June 26th, 2022

The Route

The Wild Dart Swim takes place on Sunday June 26th.

This year, we have changed the format, so that swimmers will be swimming with the tide for the 5k, the whole way and getting out at Ashprington Point Field. As with previous years, you can enter the 2.5k or 5k swim, as well as a 7k, 10k and 15k aquathlon.

We are starting it in the evening on a Sunday to give swimmers a chance to get there and see a bit of the area!

Paddle boarders will start five minute before the swim waves at 5.30pm. 2.5k & 5k swim (Starts Approximately 5.35pm and 5.45pm) respectively in two waves. These times are subject to change within a 15 minute window either side, depending on our final water safety assessment.

The 5k swim covers a #GoWithTheFlow, one way only swim from Totnes to Ashprington Point Field, starting near the Dart-Totnes Rowing Club on Steamer Quay.

The 2.5k swimmers start at the same place in separate waves (according to your predicted finishing time) but exit at Sharpham. Aquathloners will also exit at Sharpham, then move to a nearby transition area, before running the three miles back to the rowing club, following the cycle path above the Dart.

Swimming alongside the tow path and the reed beds, which line the Sharpham side of the river and the rolling hills on the left, which wind along towards Stoke Gabriel. You will take your first snake bend here, as the river takes a turn towards Sharpham.

You will know you’re approaching the Sharpham North Quay when you pass our event buoy and will soon after, catch sight of the small pontoon on your right, which is the 2.5k finish.

7k Aquathlon  

The 7k Aquathlon includes:

The 2.5k swim

The hilly 4.5k run

Through the picturesque vineyards at Sharpham and along the cycle track from Sharpham House to Moat Hill, turning left at The Steam Packet before crossing the bridge to Bridgetown and turning right in to Steamer Quay and the rowing club.

Key facts

The course suits road shoes.

All normal swim run kit will be permitted, except for tow floats.

Swimmers will be permitted to swim in their running shoes.

We will take your clearly labelled drop bags to the transition area at Sharpham from registration.

10k Aquathlon

The 10k aquathlon includes:

The 5k swim to Ashprington Point and

A 5k run run along the cycle track from Sharpham House to Moat Hill, turning left at The Steam Packet before crossing the bridge to Bridgetown and turning right in to Steamer Quay and the rowing club.

All 5K swimmers will need to bring a drop back for the finish where changing cubicles will be erected in the finish field.

You will have to walk the 2Km back to Ashprington, as there is no vehicular access to Ashprington Point Field.

Key facts:

The course suits road shoes.

All normal swim run kit will be permitted, except for tow floats.

Swimmers will be permitted to swim in their running shoes.

A transition point will be provided at Ashprington Point and transition gear taken there from registration.

15k Aquathlon  

The 15k aquathlon takes runners up the hill from Sharpham House and down the road through Ashprington towards Bow Bridge before runners follow the Harbourne River to Beanleigh cross and back to Sharpham and then Totnes via the bicycle tracks.

Key facts:

All normal swim run kit will be permitted, except for tow floats.

Swimmers will be permitted to swim in their running shoes.

We will take your clearly labelled drop bags to the transition area at Sharpham from registration.

Key facts:

All normal swim run kit will be permitted, including tow floats.

Swimmers will be permitted to swim in their running shoes.

NB: Times are subject to change but will be within an hour of times advertised. 

How will it work?

There will be two start waves and a rolling start of six at a time, every minute. (Your start position will be decided numerically in groups of 6, ie 1-6, 7 to 12 etc)

Allocation to each wave will be based upon the number of swimmers in each race category.

Start times:

The first 2.5k wave is due to start at 5.30pm, with the second starting shortly after.

Normally the first 5k swimmers finished in just over 1 hour 15 mins in to a slight tide and back with it. As this year will be completely with the tide, times should be a lot faster. The slowest swimmer took just over 2 hours in 2021. 2.5k swimmers and aquathlon entrants will leave their clothes/shoes in a colour coded & numbered bin bag, which will be taken to the transition area/finish at Sharpham. Aquathloner's wetsuits will be transported back to the finish by bus.

All 5K swimmers will need to bring a drop back for the finish where changing cubicles will be erected in the finish field.

You will have to walk the 2Km back to Ashprington, as there is no vehicular access to Ashprington Point Field.

Safety measures

There will be a team of safety kayakers, rescue boats and crews on hand throughout the swim.

No one will be more than 200m from a safety vessel.

We will be working closely with the safety team to ensure swimmers exit the slipway one at a time.

5k swimmers will not be permitted to exit at Sharpham, unless they are retiring.

In the event of the water temperature falling below 11.9ºC, a reduced swim course will be considered.

Wetsuits

We will be allowing participants to swim without wetsuits, if the temperature is above 14 degrees.

If the water temperature is above 22 degrees Celsius wetsuits will be banned. Competitors will be notified of this at registration and in advance of the event where possible.

When permitted to do so by the event crew swimmers will enter the water via the slip-way or stairs, creating a ‘rolling’ start. Exact entry point is TBC. The event crew will use NCT chip timing to time each swimmer. Participants will be set off in multiple waves, which will be decided in conjunction with the harbourmaster's office and the water safety team.

Registration, Post Swim and Kit

Registration will open at 4.00pm at the Riverside Cafe in Steamer Quay TQ9 5YS and all swimmers will be able to collect their swim envelopes containing a wristband, timing chip and swim cap. We will walk you down to the start next to the rowing club.

All participants will be able to leave their kit at the start in an attended area at the cafe. This year we will also encourage supporters to be on standby ready with warm garments.

For those of you who have built up an appetite, the Riverside Cafe will prepare food for you, either vegetarian or non vegetarian.

What's Included:

• Chip timing
• Branded swim caps
• Full water safety coverage
• Prizes for all categories where sufficient numbers allow
• Transport to Totnes from Ashrington and Sharpham before and after the start (optional purchase)
• Change cubicles

Camping (optional)

Camping is available at Ashprington Point Field, which we have booked out for  Sunday  night  (see Accommodation Tab).