The Route

The Wild Dart Swim takes place on Saturday June 7th, 2025

This year we are changing the format, so that all events finish at Ashprington Point Field, including the 2.5k swim and the new 15k aquathlon.

Swimmers can swim with the tide for the 5k, the whole way, getting out at Ashprington Point Field. You can enter the 2.5k or 5k swim, as well as a 15k aquathlon.

2.5k & 5k swim (4pm) respectively in two waves

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.

**New for 2025, the 2.5k swimmers will start at Sharpham and exit at Ashprington Point Field. Aquathloners will also exit at Ashprington Point Field, then move to a nearby transition area, before running the 10k back to Point Field.

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, then round the S bend to Ashprington point.

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 finish at Ashprington Point Field, from registration at Steamer Quay.

15k Aquathlon

The 15k aquathlon includes:

• The 5k swim to Ashprington Point and
• A 10k run run along the green lanes and quiet country lanes in Tuckenhay and Ashprington, finishing at Ashprington Point Field.

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

You will have to walk the 2Km back to Ashprington, as there is no vehicular access to Ashprington Point Field. **However we are hoping to provide some form of mobile transport in 2025 in the form of tractor and trailer or quad bike and trailer if at all possible.**

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.

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 

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

Start times:

Normally the first 5k swimmers finish 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 takes just over 2.15 hours. 2.5k swimmers and aquathlon entrants will leave their clothes/shoes in a colour coded & numbered bin bag, which will be taken to the finish by boat.

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

You may have to walk the 2Km back to Ashprington, as there is currently no vehicular access to Ashprington Point Field. However, we are hoping to provide some sort of shuttle service by quad bike or 4X4.

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 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.

**If the event has to be cancelled due to poor water quality, we can offer full credits to another date, either in the same year or the following year.**