London, United Kingdom
The first ever Pride Swim
Join us for the first official Pride Swim and post-swim party on the 30th September 2023
Overview
There are over 250 Prides in the UK and whilst there are Pride Runs and Pride Rides, there have been no Pride Swims...until now. Join us at Love Open Water Royal Docks and choose your distance to swim: 250, 400, 600, 800 or 1000 metres. Everyone taking part will receive an official Pride Swim 2023 medal, certificate, goody bag and entry to a post-swim celebration, where we will be joined by DJs from the House of Happiness. Olympic swimmer and LGBTQ+ activist Micheal Gunning will open the swim at 1.30pm, and although you can swim at any time, we encourage people to join in at 2pm. We have teamed up with NOWCA and Love Open Water to bring you our FIRST ever Pride swim. Every participant in the Pride Swim must be a NOWCA member. If you are not a NOWCA member yet, you can register https://actio.nowca.org/venue/187 Once you create your profile and pay your £15 annual membership, you can then book your place for Pride Swim at Love Open Water London Royal Docks at £15 Registration fee. Please also select this venue as your band collection if you intend to collect it at the event. NOWCA membership gives you access to over 40 open water venues nationwide for 12 months. It also comes with lots of benefits including insurance cover for personal accident and injury (including your commute to/from a booked activity/event), exclusive access to NOWCA Perks where you can save up to 70% on all your swimming kit, log your swims on the app and much more. All swimmers MUST wear their NOWCA wristband at all times during the swim, as well as bright headwear and a bright tow float. Please ensure you read the pre-swim guidance prior to booking.
Hosts
Out & Wild Festival
Out & Wild is the UK's biggest Festival for LGBTQ+ women and those who are non-binary. It takes place annually in Pembrokeshire, Wales.
We are focused on connecting the community through shared experiences and we love all things outdoors!
We have over 60 activities that you can take part in over 3 days and our wild swims are one of the most popular. In fact, it was the popularity of these that got one of our co-founders, thinking "Why can't we create wild swims across the UK?"
Join us on the 30th September and be one of the first people to say "I took part in Pride Swim."
Improper
Improper is a woman led, majority queer creative agency who work with employers, brands and charities to create community led campaigns that challenge structural inequality and activate genuine social and environmental change. Improper is joining Pride Swim as creative partners, helping us to achieve our shared mission to create varied and alternative spaces for LGBTQ+ people and continue the essential work of bringing communities together.
House of Happiness
The House of Happiness is London's Ultimate Sober Clubbing Extravaganza and we're here to prove that sober doesn't mean boring!
Queer led and delivered and created for all whether you are teetotal, sober curious or just taking a booze snooze. We are about SAFE, INCLUSIVE FUN.
We're so excited to support the first ever Pride Swim where we will be serving the tunes, party vibes and more! Plus you will be able to score a discount to our BIG BDAY BONANZA on 7th October.
Our Sponsors and Supporters
We would like to thank the sponsors and supporters who have helped us put on the first ever Pride Swim.
This includes London Marathon Events, Lucky Saint, City Hall and Goho Marketing and PR.
Love Open Water Royal Docks
The location for Pride Swim 2023 is Victoria Royal Docks. The site is operated by Love Open Water and you will need to be a NOWCA member to take part.Information about the venue can be found here.
What's Included
FAQs
The swims take place between 1 and 4pm on Saturday 30th September. The official opening will be at 1.30pm.
Yes, you do. You need to join here. Membership is £15 and gets you year round access to sites across the UK.
We can also help with free membership if you wnat to swim but cannot afford, contact us at info@outandwild.co.uk
Yes, you do. You must be able to swim confidently in open water – tread water and swim 400m without stopping. The use of tow floats and bright headwear is mandatory.
Yes, we charge a small registration fee of £15, for this you get a medal, certificate, liited edition Pride swim Tote bag, a bottle of Lucky Saint and other goodies.
Yes. This is an inclusive event open to the LGBTQ+ community and supportive allies.
If you have taken part in the swim, you can collect your goody bag (including your medal and certificate) at the post event party.
You will get a free bottle of Lucky Saint and we will have a few other alcohol free drinks. But we do not have a bar.
We will also have a changing area and a potrtaloo.
House of Happiness will be providing 2 DJs who will be playing Pride themed tunes!
Yes of course. All are welcome to watch the swim and attend the post swim party. We do ask that you do not bring alcohol products into the party area.
Yes. Our site partner, Love Open Water, will run the swim, and have extra lifeguards on site for the times of the swim.
No, distances will be laid out, just choose on the day. Everyone will get a medal and goody bag.
Your fee covers the swim and associated costs, a medal, goody bag and after swim celebration
