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Saturday 21st June 2025 (Start 09:10hrs). This is the 17th year the River Arun Swim has taken place and another unique chance to swim over the classic Ironman distance of 3.8km from Ford to Littlehampton. Fast times are guaranteed* and year on year, so many swimmers reach their PB’s.

The swim is extremely popular with many swimmers making their annual pilgrimage to West Sussex. All ages and abilities from 13yrs to 80+ are welcome, we’re not expecting many swimmers to take longer than 90min due to the tidal nature of the river. The River Arun is the second fastest tidal river in the UK and stretches as far north as Horsham and down to the sea at Littlehampton in West Sussex.

Swimmers are taken by a fleet of coaches to the start point at the Ship & Anchor Pub, Ford Marina and then make their way downstream to finish at the RNLI in Littlehampton.  Safety is our uppermost priority and we’ll have our usual REP crew including the Harbour Master’s launch, Maritime Volunteers, safety RIBS, kayaks and Sussex Search & Rescue spotters on the river bank.

The start will be just after high tide at Ford Marina (09:10hrs) during the 30 minute period of slack water. Coaches will leave Ferry Road Littlehampton at 08:00hrs to take competitors to the holding point at the Ship & Anchor Pub. After the race head into Harbour Lights Cafe at the finish line where you’ll be warmly welcomed with some great food and drink.

All competitors will receive free race photographs from Sussex Sport Photography. Don’t forget we’ll be supporting the RNLI and other local charities during this event and making a donation to them.

(* Weather, water conditions and tides can all affect swim times; that’s the FUN of the event, embrace it!)

“Brilliant event and really enjoyed it thank you”

“Thank you very much for organising an excellent event yesterday. Thoroughly enjoyed it and got a pb so you can’t get better than that. Please thank all your colleagues. It was brilliant. Let me know when entries will be open for the next one as I do not want to miss it and also want to book accommodation early. Again many thanks for an outstanding day.”
TERMS AND CONDITIONS 2025 (Open Water Swimming)
River Arun Swim

River Arun 3.8km Swim

What you need to know:

Race HQ: RNLI Lifeboat Station in Surrey Street, Littlehampton, West Sussex, BN17 5BL

Parking: We suggest you park at Coastguard Road, BN17 5LH, which is close to Harbour Park Amusements.  Seaside cafes and toilets are also at this location. There are numerous other car parks in and around the town.

Entry Fees: £43 Early-bird or £46 from Jan 1st.

Wetsuits are compulsory | No tow floats

Race packs can be collected from registration on the day. There will be no entries on the day.

Maps: 3.8km Course | RNLI to Coach Pick Up | Ford Church to Ship & Anchor Pub start

Historic Results: Search ‘River Arun’ at Results Base

River Arun Swim