1,000 Wild Swimmers Set to Take the Plunge in the UK's Biggest Sea Swim for International Women's Day!
Cold-water swimmers from across the country are gearing up for an exhilarating dip in the English Channel, breaking last year's record of 500 swimmers to 1000 this year!
(photo from 2024 Big Swim)
📅 Date: Saturday, March 8
📍 Venues: Sea Lanes, Brighton & Sandbanks, Dorset
In just two weeks since tickets were released, 1,000 women have signed up to take part in this extraordinary sea swim meaning the event issold out!
● The Big Swim is the brainchild of Brighton-based adventurer Nicky Chisholm, known locally as ‘PinkNicky.' Last year's event saw 500 participants embrace the icy waters in Brighton, and for 2025, the event has doubled in size—joining forces with outdoor adventure expert Rosie Tanner of Land and Wave in Dorset.
Rosie says:"Land & Wave has long been campaigning to get more women working and playing in the outdoors, so we're delighted to be welcoming a huge Dorset contingent to The Big Swim!"
● With 500 swimmers in Brighton and 100 miles west another 500 will be dipping in Dorset, this nationwide event is set to be an unforgettable tribute not to mention record breaking achievement, to the power of community, adventure, and female resilience. The perfect event to mark International Women's Day.
● All Sea swimmers are welcome; everyone is uniting to celebrate the achievements of women worldwide and promote solidarity through their shared love for the sea.
● Surfers Against Sewage are the charity partners.
Giles Bristow SAS CE0 says:
"At SAS, we believe that everything we do should be driven by data and science. We seek to represent an accurate picture of the appalling state of our blue spaces and tell it like it is. Facing the facts can be shocking and upsetting. We are not exaggerating when we say our rivers are dying. They are - in front of our eyes. We hope for clean water on Saturday March 8thso that no one will be put off this momentous swim."
● This year Rosie and Nicky will be asking the 1000 women to takeone actionto support, elevate or amplify a women campaign or business in their community. They want the ripple effect from the swim to far outreach the day of The Big Swim. They will be collecting stories of the actions that have been taken.
● The IWD sea swim is not exclusively for women; it welcomes everyone who supports the cause of gender equality. While the event is aimed at celebrating women, it recognises the vital role that allies play in advancing social, economic, cultural, and political equality. Embracing diversity, individuals of all backgrounds are invited to join and contribute to the collective efforts for women's rights. This event will be one of thousands taking place across the world to celebrate IWD theme whose theme this year is #AccelerateAction.
● Scheduled for Saturday morning, March 8th, (Sandbanks at 9.30am and Brighton at 11.30am) both events will commence with a warm welcome and an invigorating swim or dip. Participants are encouraged to wear warm and sparkly attire, creating a colourful spectacle on the beach.
● The vibrant communities of wild swimmers bring together a diverse group ranging from police officers and triathletes to A&E doctors, screenwriters, opera singers, podcasters, and even mermaids.
● There will be a pre-swim safety briefing and lifeguards on duty during the swim
● The Dorset Swim will also feature a special appearance from two RNLI boats featuring all-female crew to celebrate IWD.
● This year, we are proud to welcome our first-ever wheelchair swimmers. These inspiring ambassadors will play a key role in shaping our accessibility initiative, ensuring a more inclusive future for all.
Nicky Chisholm says:
"The Big Swim is your chance to get involved in the UK's biggest swim- it's a mini adventure waiting to happen. This event will make your soul sing."
#thebigswim
For further information contact:
Amanda FitzGerald PR
07711 419595
Please Note Nicky Chisholm is away on expedition in remote Finland from 16th - 26th February - ALL PRESS ENQUIRIES SHOULD GO TO AMANDA FITZGERALD DURING THIS TIME.
Nicky Chisholm
07920482380
This event is organized by Nicky Chisholm, also known as PinkNicky, who is an experienced Project Manager specialising in initiatives within the adventure and outdoor industry. Beyond her professional endeavours, Nicky is passionate about empowering women, empty nesters, and adventurous souls through her blog, PinkNicky. Nicky is currently gearing up for her next adventure— 100 km cross country ski expedition - self supported in remote Northern Finland Northern. She is always up to something!
Sponsors National - Finnistere, Scamp and Dude, Outdoor Swimming Magazine, Bird and Blend, The Bug Club
Media partners: The Everyday Adventure Podcast, Headright Out Podcast and White Fox Talking Podcast
Silver Sponsor: SaltyEarth, Jessica Hepburn, CamperVan Retreats, Wild Swimming Company, Beach Box Brighton, Emma Simpson, Beachside Sports Therapy, Functional Reflex Therapy
For further information and to join us for The Big Swim, please contact Nicky Chisholm (Brighton swim) atnickyc@pinknicky.comor visithttps://pinknicky.com/ 07920482380
Rosie Tanner Dorset Swimrosie@landandwave.co.uk/ 07854245272 / 01929 423031
Swimmers were invited to book a free ticket using this linkhttps://pinknicky.com/iwd-2025/ -sold out - waiting list is open