Swim Series Events 
Provisional Start Time: 8:30am
Open Water River Swim: 2.25 miles (3,650m) £36
ENTRY DEADLINE: 9PM MONDAY 9th JULY 2012 (OR EARLIER IF FULL)
Hampton Court - the original and still the most popular! The Speedo Open Water Swim Series is proud to return to this iconic location for 2.25 miles of river swimming at its best on Sunday 15th July 2012. Open water swimming in the Thames is an amazing challenge whether you are elite or a beginner and taking on the two and a bit miles from Hampton Court Bridge downstream to Kingston Bridge is definitely a must for any open water swimmer.
Following feedback from last year, we have introduced a brand new chip timing system to reduce the registration time at the start and once again the swim will be divided into waves based on estimated time so all participants can swim at their own pace and enjoy the wonderful experience of open water swimming in the River Thames.
As with every event in the series, the Hampton Court Swim provides unparalleled levels of water safety with the experienced and knowledgeable Human Race Water Safety Crew looking after you at every stroke. After some great feedback from the 2011 Series participants, we have decided to open up the non-wetsuit option to all swimmers, provided the water is over 14 degrees on the day. All you have to do is select the non-wetsuit option when you enter online. So if you are training for a channel crossing, or just want to immerse yourself in the full ‘open water swim’ experience of swimming in the River Thames, this is the event for you! Don’t worry, you can still use your wetsuit on the day if you like.
All swimmers will receive an event swim cap and an exclusive Speedo Swim Series medal engraved with the Hampton Court Swim race and date – so you’ll be able to collect the full set through the series! Event-specific t-shirts are also available for purchase via the event entry page and there will be lots of goodies on the day from our event partners.
The Hampton Court Swim is great for spectators, with the Thames Path following the bank of the river all the way down from start to finish, with some great opportunities for supporting your loved ones and photographing some of the great sights on both banks. This is definitely an event where bringing a camera is a must!
Changing areas, baggage store and toilets will all be available within the event village, and an event village with retailers, charity welcome areas and retailing from our event partners will be located at the finish next to Kingston Bridge.
SwimInformationPack
AS SOON AS THE RACE INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE, IT WILL BE POSTED HERE.
SwimLocation
This event was the inspiration for the Speedo Open Water Swim Series and again will see thousands of swimmers taking to the water at Hampton Court Palace and making their way down to the finish just up stream of the Kingston Bridge and next to the beautiful market town of Kingston Upon Thames.
Ideal for spectators: get your family and friends to support you along the way by taking the tow path along this picturesque stretch of river.
Ferry service: Parr Boat Hire are running a special ferry service throughout the event, so park up in Kingston and catch the ferry to the start. It also provides a great vantage point for spectators. There is a discounted fare of £3 for a single trip from Kingston to the swim start at Hampton Court Palace. Ferry places are limited, so please ring Parr Boat Hire on 07956 902646 or 020 8977 8850 to pre book.
Ferry Ticket Price List
£3 Single trip from Kingston to the Swim start @ Hampton Court Palace
£5.50 Adult return
£4.50 Child return
£22.50 Family return ticket (2 Adults & 3 Children)
Car parking:
Bittoms Car Parking (Postcode KT1 2AB)
Q Parking at Eden Walk (Postcode KT1 1BL)
Driving Directions:
The part of the road called The Bittoms that The Bittoms car park is on can only be accessed from Penrhyn Road (A240). The postal code for the car park is KT1 2AB.
Coming from London on the A3, at the Robin Hood Roundabout people should take a right to the A308 to Kingston, keep following that road for two miles until it becomes A307 (Fairfield North). Follow that road to the end and take a left, following signs to Surbiton (A240) and keep on this for 500 yards until a roundabout (The College Roundabout), when they should take the first exit (which is straight on) again towards Surbiton A240. The Bittoms is then accessed by turning right at the next traffic lights.
From the West (M3) take Junction 1 on the M3 onto the A308 towards Kingston (6 miles). After crossing Kingston Bridge into Kingston, follow signs for Surbiton (A240) through the town ring road, which involves several sets of traffic lights. Continue until they get to a roundabout (The College Roundabout), when they should take the first exit (which is straight on) again towards Surbiton A240. The Bittoms is then accessed by turning right at the next traffic lights.
From the South (A3) turn off at Tolworth Junction and take the first left towards Kingston A240. Follow this road for 2.5 miles, after which the entrance to The Bittoms is signposted on the left (just after passing Surrey Count Hall).
Kingston has some great cafes and shops for you to visit post race.
How to get there:
The start, Hampton Court Palace is located next to the River Thames to the south west of London. For SatNav the postcode is KT8 9AU.
Train/Car/Taxi/Disabled Access information HERE.
OtherStuff
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