River Arun 3.8km Swim | Saturday 13th June 2026 | Start 11:00hrs

Saturday 13th June 2026 (Start 11:00hrs). This is the 18^th 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 (11:00hrs) 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”