💙 A huge thank you from Meredith Bochmann, Dock2Dock Race Director:

Wow. We are absolutely blown away by the response to Dock2Dock this year.

Tickets have sold out in less than two weeks – something that normally takes around eight months.

While Dock2Dock is traditionally a sold-out event, this level of demand has been extraordinary, and we are incredibly grateful for the enthusiasm, loyalty and support of our swim community.

If you missed out on a ticket this year, please register your interest for 2027.

Thank you again for the overwhelming support – it means more to us than you know. We can’t wait to bring this year’s Dock2Dock to life with you all.

Mez x

SOLD OUT – Register your interest for 2027

Welcome to London’s iconic Dock2Dock®

Saturday, 12 September 2026

This is your chance to swim in the magical urban setting of London’s Royal Docks with its imposing historical cranes lining the docks and Canary Wharf and the O2 looming in the background.

Having started with just a few hundred swimmers, the Dock2Dock has grown in size but maintains its fun and friendly atmosphere and offers a challenging swim for all ages and abilities with a range of distances to choose from.

Whether you are new to open water swimming events taking on your first 1.5k or are a seasoned distance swimmer looking to tackle the 15k distance, the Dock2Dock offers the opportunity to swim in the heart of one of the world’s great cities.

The event village will once again be located close to Royal Docks Watersports, opposite London City Airport.

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Event Details

EVENT LOCATION

Address: Royal Docks Watersports
1012 Dockside Rd, London, E16 2QT

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VIEW MAP

DISTANCES & PRICES

There are five core distances ranging from 1.5km up to the EPIC 15km!

* An additional booking fee applies to each ticket.

* Only one discount can be used per ticket.

WHAT’S INCLUDED WITH YOUR TICKET?

Entry to Dock2Dock.
Free pre-event swim – the day prior to Dock2Dock.
Safety for the duration of the event – safety boats, kayaks, and paddle boarders in the water.
Race kit – official swim cap, hydration, swimmer’s gift.
Secure bag drop
Feed stations at multiple locations – available for distances 3k and above
Post swim refuel – snacks and hydration
Finisher’s medal

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1.5k = approx. 1 mile

Minimum age: 12+ years old

One loop of the 1.5km short course

Mass/Rolling Start

Full wetsuit compulsory for 12-16 year olds (juniors).
Wetsuit optional for 17+ year olds.

Swim cut-off time: 2h45 – 3h45

Start time: Check event schedule

Standard ticket: £45

+ Swim badge: £7

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3k = approx. 2 miles

Minimum age: 12 years old

One loop of the 3km short course

Mass/Rolling Start

Full wetsuit compulsory for 12-16 year olds.
Wetsuit optional for 17+ year olds.

Swim cut-off time: 3h45 – 4h30

Start time: Check event schedule

Standard ticket: £60

+ Swim badge: £7

SOLD OUT – Register your interest for 2027

5k = approx. 3 miles

Minimum age: 16 years old

One loop of the 5km long course

Mass/Rolling Start

Full wetsuit compulsory for 16 year olds.
Wetsuit optional for 17+ year olds.

Swim cut-off time: 4h45 – 5h45

Start time: Check event schedule

Standard Ticket: £90

+ Swim badge: £7

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10k = approx. 6 miles

Minimum age: 16 years old

Two loops of the 5km long course

Mass/Rolling Start

Full wetsuit compulsory for 16 year olds.
Wetsuit optional for 17+ year olds.

Swim cut-off time: 5h45 – 6h30

Start time: Check event schedule

Standard ticket: £125

+ Swim badge: £7

SOLD OUT – Register your interest for 2027

EPIC 15k = approx. 9 miles

Minimum age: 16 years old

Three loops of the 5km long course

Mass Start only

Full wetsuit compulsory for 16 year olds.
Wetsuit optional for 17+ year olds.

Swim cut-off time: 6h45

Start time: Check event schedule

By application only (pre-requisites)

Standard ticket: £140

+ Swim badge: £7

Charity tickets
Up to 70% off

Our official charity partner, Level Water, aims to kickstart a love of swimming in children with disabilities. From physical development to social and emotional confidence, swimming is a vehicle to change their lives for the better.

This year, charity tickets are available for all distances at heavily discounted prices, with a £200 fundraising target.

Prices start from only £20

Learn more

We also offer group discounts for 10+ entries.

Please contact us for details: support@lovesportsevents.co.uk

Iconic Swim Badges – £7 each

This year, you can also purchase a woven badge to commemorate your swim – available for all distances as well as our purple Voss badge!

Purchase as many as you like and for distances you have swum in the past.

The badges are 7cm round with an iron-on back and will be available to collect on event day.

Remember, to add badges to your cart when you sign up for Dock2Dock.

TEAMS / CLUBS / GROUPS

2025 Team Winner:
BE ENDURANCE BATHERS

Team Trophy

When you sign up for Dock2Dock (either as a group or individually), you have the option to enter a Team/Club name.

The BIGGEST team will receive the Dock2Dock team trophy and bragging rights for an entire year!

If you have already signed up to the Dock2Dock but didn’t/forgot to add your team/club name, you can simply update it before the event registration closing date for it to count. Once the registration closes, the team tallies are locked!

Update team/club name

NOWCA MEMBERSHIP

The Dock2Dock is a NOWCA member event. All swimmers must have a current NOWCA membership on the day of the event. NOWCA membership is £20 per year (equates to £1.67 per month) and gives you access to over 40 managed venues throughout the UK along with Premium access to NOWCA Wild app, discounts on courses, insurance cover (NOWCA Protect) as well as a host of other member benefits via the NOWCA Perks programme.

Find out more

EVENT SCHEDULE

The event schedule outlines the registration, swim start, and swim cut-off times for each distance. It will be published in the EVENT UPDATES.

Event updates

WATER QUALITY

Often mistaken as being a part of the Thames River, the water at the London Royal Docks (where the iconic Dock2Dock takes place) is fed from the Thames Estuary. Water is impounded via an impound station on a controlled basis to facilitate boat movements and maintain water levels in the dock. Regular water testing is undertaken throughout the year and has consistently rated EXCELLENT by bathing standards.

Water testing at London’s Royal Docks is carried out by Socotec on behalf of RoDMA, the Royal Docks Management Authority. They test for E.Coli and Intestinal Enterococci on a monthly basis at various locations around the docks. Results are posted to the website: londonsroyaldocks.com

WATER TEMPERATURE

at London Royal Docks

Water temp:

START PROCEDURE & SWIM COURSE

Swim Start – Mass / Rolling Start

In each distance, there will be a limited number of spots available for swimmers wishing to start in a deep water Mass Start. If you choose this option, you will enter the water and have a few minutes to acclimatise before the group is set off with a ‘gun start’.

All other swimmers in the distance will set off in a rolling fashion – Rolling Start. This means, you will enter the swim area, cross the timing mat and then enter the water to start your swim. There will be a ‘start window’ for each event in which you will need to enter the water. This option is particularly good for swimmers who may be new to open water swimming events, and would like to start in a more relaxed way.

Course

There will be 3 course loops at the Dock2Dock.

5k, 10k and 15k participants will swim the long course.

1.5k and 3k participants will swim the short courses.

Watch our swim course video below. Get the swimmer’s perspective at water level, including important details such as feed stations and buoy turns for each distance.

Check the course map on event day for course buoy colours so you know where to turn.

Cut-off Times

All swimmers must be out of the water by 15:30

It is our intention to give every swimmer the opportunity to finish, as long as it is safe to do so. If there are still swimmers in the water as the cut-off time approaches, the safety team, in conjunction with the Race Director will have the final decision on whether the swimmer/s can continue.

We have generous cut-off times for each distance.

Final cut-off times will be announced in our EVENT UPDATES.

Feed Stations

There will be multiple feed stations on the course available for participants in distances 3k and over. Feed stations will be stocked with water, electrolyte drinks and bananas.

Additionally, swimmers in the 10k and 15k will be able to provide one small feed bag and one water bottle which can be accessed at the end of each lap (Ramada Feed). Further details will be provided in the Swimmer Briefing which will be published closer to the event.

Refer to Course Map for feed station locations.

EVENT EQUIPMENT

NOWCA Safety Wristband

Every participant in the Dock2Dock must wear their NOWCA wristband during the swim. If you are a new NOWCA member, you can select where to collect your wristband upon registering with NOWCA and paying the annual fee. If you wish to collect your wristband when you arrive at the event, please choose DOCK2DOCK as your collection venue when you register. Your wristband will then be available to pick up at the registration tent (or any NOWCA affiliated venue if you wish to collect it before the event).

If you have previously set up a NOWCA profile but have not yet paid the annual membership fee (and collected a band), you can change your collection venue by following the instructions on the NOWCA Support Centre.

Tow Floats

All participants must swim with a tow float in all distances.

Swimmers must use their own tow floats and these must be brightly coloured!

Wetsuits

Wetsuits are optional at the Dock2Dock except for any swimmer aged between 12-16 on the day of the event. Participants aged between 12-16 must wear a full length wetsuit.

Participants can choose their category (wetsuit or non-wetsuit) upon entry. Water temperatures will be monitored in the lead up to the event and swimmers may change their category by using the online registration system, prior to the event.

Should the water temperature drop below 15°C on the morning of the event, wetsuits will be compulsory for ALL swimmers unless a Skins Pass Application has been completed, where the swimmer will be asked to submit evidence of cold water swimming experience. This form will be issued in the week before the event, only if necessary.

Wetsuits will not be allowed should the water temperature rise above 24°C on the morning of the event. This includes shortie wetsuits and neoprene swim shorts / vests.

Tow Float / Wetsuit Hire

Our event partner, Adventure Kit Hire, are offering wetsuit, tow float hire, and a wide range of open water accessories for Dock2Dock participants. You can choose an event day hire, short term hire or even hire out the wetsuit for the entire season! There is limited stock – we recommend you book early so you don’t miss out.

Hire now

Race Kit

Caps: Each swimmer will receive a coloured swim cap in their race bag. This cap must be worn during the event.

Timing band: These will be collected at registration and must be worn during the event.

EVENT VILLAGE FACILITIES

Toilets
Change cubicles
Secure bag drop facility
Cafes, restaurants and hotels close by

Area map

ACCESSIBILITY & ASSISTANCE

Dock2Dock is an inclusive event and our team work hard to ensure participants and visitors are well supported.

Find out more about some of the key areas at the event including the Event Village, Swim Start and Swim Finish.

Accessibility info

SOLD OUT – Register your interest for 2027

EVENT TERMS & CONDITIONS

ENTRIES WILL CLOSE ON SUN, 9 AUGUST 2026

(or earlier if tickets are sold out)

Sea Cadets Charity

This year, £1 from every Dock2Dock entry will be donated to the Sea Cadets – and you’ll also get the chance to match our £1 donation.

Sea Cadets is a charity that help and inspire over 14,000 young people throughout the UK. The Sea Cadet Royal Docks Boat Station support the water safety team at our event. Find out more about how donations help this charity, or make a donation now.

Donate now

About Sea Cadets

Event Training & Coaching

PERSONALISED TRAINING PLANS with Catch

Our Dock2Dock training plans are now elevated through Catch, the innovative swim coaching app that empowers swimmers of all levels to train smarter, build confidence and connect with a vibrant community both in the pool and in open water.

When you train using Catch, you’ll get personalised plans that are specific to YOUR ability, YOUR goals and YOUR Dock2Dock distance.

Catch’s personalised approach means you’ll have a roadmap to conquer any of our 5 core distances: 1.5k, 3k, 5k, 10k, and EPIC 15k.

On average, Catch Gold swimmers get 15% faster in just 8 weeks.

Get a 30-day free trial and then an exclusive £25 off your Catch Gold membership.

Use our discount code: NOWCA26

Get started

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TRAIN AT THE DOCKS

Event host, Love Open Water London Royal Docks is open year round is an ideal place to start, or continue your Dock2Dock journey. Their coaching courses will enhance your performance at Dock2Dock and support you to achieve your personal goals.

Find out more

NOWCA ONLINE TRAINING COURSE

If you are new to open water swimming, NOWCA has an excellent online course which will help you develop your stroke, fitness and confidence. It also includes a 12 week training program. It’s a great way to enhance your Dock2Dock journey.

Find out more