Welcome to the 2025 Donaghadee Big Bay Swim in association with Donaghadee Sailing Club and Ards and North Down BC.
The details of the event are as follows:
Date: Sunday 29th June 2025
Location/Venue: Swim Ulster Gazebo, near slipway (Depending on the weather), or Donaghadee Sailing Club, 20 Shore Road, Donaghadee, BT21 0DG
Swim Registration Time and Safety Briefing:
Please ensure you attend for your registration on time. All participants must attend their safety briefing and if this is missed then, they will not be permitted to entrer the water.
Registration: 14:15hrs
1.5km Female & Male Wetsuit or Non-Wetsuit
1.5km Junior Female & Male Wetsuit or Non-Wetsuit (15yrs to 17yrs of age)
Equipment
All swimmers will be issued with a coloured Swim Ulster cap which will correspond to the swim distance they are entered for and must be worn for safety reasons.
The wearing of Tow Floats will be mandatory at all Swim Ulster open water events and it shall be the responsibilty of the participant to supply their own.
Event Admin
All participants must be pre-booked for Swim Ulster open water swimming events using this booking form and will not be permitted to enter on the day.
Changes to participants categories and swim distances can be made prior to the event closing date by emailing openwater@swimlster.net with your details.
No changes to your entry category or swim distance will be permitted on the day of the event.
The closing date for event bookings is: Wednesday 25th June 2025 at 17:30hrs.
Examples of participants swimming ability profiles
3.5km + Swim Distances: Participants should be a very advanced or experienced open water swimmer, having completed at least two coastal 3.5km + distances in the current open water swimming season and for these swims to have been supported with evidence that can be verified. The event safety officer reserves the right to withdraw participants during the swim if they are not making safe & suitable progress.
3km Swim Distances: Participants should be an advanced or experienced open water swimmer having already completed similar distances during the previous or current open water swimming season. The event safety officer reserves the right to withdraw participants during the swim if they are not making safe & suitable progress.
1.5km Swim Distances: Participants should be an intermediate or experienced open water swimmer having already completed similar distances during the previous or current open water swimming season. The event safety officer reserves the right to withdraw participants during the swim if they are not making safe & suitable progress.
750m Swim Distances: Participants should have already completed a 500m distance swim during the previous or current open water swimming season. The event safety officer reserves the right to withdraw a participant during the swim if they are not making safe & suitable progress.
250m Swim Distances: It is acknowledged that participants will be new to open water swimming events with little or no experience of participating with others in an organised format. Before entering attempting a 250m distance, a participant should have already swam in open water for at least 100m non-stop. The event safety officer reserves the right to withdraw a participant during the swim if they are not making safe & suitable progress.
The above examples are offered as guidance, but also set out for your safety and enjoyment.