Dive in for 2012 British Gas Great Swims

Swimmers should get ready to dive in for the British Gas Great Swim Series 2012, Europe’s largest open water mass participation event, as online entries are now open for the following three events:

·        The British Gas Great East Swim, Alton Water Park, Suffolk,  Saturday 16 June

Half-mile, 1-mile and 2-mile courses

·        The British Gas Great North Swim, Lake Windermere, Cumbria, Friday 22^nd, Saturday 23^rd and Sunday 24^th June

Half-mile, 1-mile and 2-mile courses

·        The British Gas Great Manchester Swim, Salford Quays, Sunday 1^st July

1-mile urban course

Earlier this year, the flagship of the series, The British Gas Great North Swim, reached full-capacity weeks before it was staged, with over 10,000 swimmers taking to the waters of Windermere.

The British Gas Great Swim Series 2011 attracted a record number of swimmers – 22,000 who signed up for the five events staged in outdoor locations by Nova International in London, Salford, Cumbria, Suffolk and Scotland.

The mass race swimmers were able to swim in the wake of world-class elite open water swimmers such as Great Britain’s Keri-Anne Payne, the world 10k open water champion, and nine-time world champion Thomas Lurz – who won the 2011 Salford and Suffolk events.  The duo, plus a host of other world-class swimmers are expected to compete in Great Swim events next year, in the run up to the London 2012 Olympic Games. 

Entrants can apply to enter the British Gas Great East, Great North and Great Manchester Swims by visiting http://www.greatswim.org/. Entries will be accepted on a first come, first served basis.