PRE-SALE STARTS AT 10AM ON 2 NOVEMBER 2026!LIMITED TICKETS AVAILABLE AT 20% OFF FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY.CHARITY TICKETS AVAILABLE FROM ONLY £20 WITH FUNDRAISING FOR LEVEL WATER REGISTER YOUR INTEREST FOR FIRST ACCESS TO TICKETS.

Welcome to London’s iconic Dock2Dock®

Saturday, 28 August 2027

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.

Event Details

EVENT LOCATION

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

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VIEW MAP

DISTANCES & PRICES

Our five favourite distances are back PLUS… due to popular demand, we’re adding a special feature swim for 2027!

1.5k
3k
5k
8k – feature swim
10k
EPIC 15k

* An additional booking fee applies to each ticket.

* Only one discount can be used per ticket.

* Charity tickets are also available for all distances – fixed price with fundraising, no further discounts applicable to these tickets

WHAT’S INCLUDED WITH YOUR TICKET?

Entry to Dock2Dock.
Access to the 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.
Post swim refuel – snacks and hydration.
Finisher’s medal.

PRE-SALE STARTS AT 10AM ON 2 NOVEMBER 2026!LIMITED TICKETS AVAILABLE AT 20% OFF FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY.REGISTER YOUR INTEREST FOR FIRST ACCESS TO TICKETS.

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 12-15 year olds (juniors).
Wetsuit optional for 16+ year olds.

Swim cut-off time: 2h30 – 3h

Start time: Check event schedule

Standard ticket: £45

Charity ticket: £20*

3k = approx. 2 miles

Minimum age: 12 years old

One loop of the 3km short course

Mass/Rolling Start

Full wetsuit compulsory for 12-15 year olds.
Wetsuit optional for 16+ year olds.

Swim cut-off time: 3h15 – 3h45

Start time: Check event schedule

Standard ticket: £60

Charity ticket: £20*

5k = approx. 3 miles

Minimum age: 16 years old

One loop of the 5km long course

Mass/Rolling Start

Wetsuit optional for 16+ year olds.

Swim cut-off time: 4h – 4h45

Start time: Check event schedule

Standard Ticket: £95

Charity ticket: £30*

Feature swim: 8k = approx. 5 miles

Minimum age: 16 years old

One loop of the 5km long course + 1 loop of the 3k short course

Mass/Rolling Start

Wetsuit optional for 16+ year olds.

Swim cut-off time: 5h15 – 6h

Start time: Check event schedule

Standard ticket: £110

Charity ticket: £35*

10k = approx. 6 miles

Minimum age: 16 years old

Two loops of the 5km long course

Mass/Rolling Start

Wetsuit optional for 16+ year olds.

Swim cut-off time: 6h25 – 6h55

Start time: Check event schedule

Standard ticket: £130

Charity ticket: £40*

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: 7h15

Start time: Check event schedule

By application only (pre-requisites)

Standard ticket: £150

Charity ticket: £50*

APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN

Charity tickets

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 the following fundraising targets:

£200 – 1.5k, 3k, 5k distances

£250 – 8k feature, 10k, EPIC 15k distances

About Level Water

Iconic Swim Badges – 30% off during sign up

Our woven badges are back this year to help commemorate your swim – distance badges will be refreshed to match the event swim cap colours.

The new Iconic badge will also be available for purchase, as will our purple Voss badge.

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

The badges are 7cm round with an iron-on back and will be posted out to you from 1 March – free delivery.

Add badges to your cart when you sign up for Dock2Dock and get them for only £7 – saving £3 each!

Badges are £10 each when purchased at our online shop and on event day.

TEAMS / CLUBS / GROUPS

Group Discount & Chill-out Zone

We offer a 10% group discount for 10+ tickets purchased at one time.

For large teams/groups, a free team space may also be allocated near the finish line so you can cheer for your team mates.

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

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!

2026 Team Winner: BE ENDURANCE BATHERS

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

Dock2Dock is a NOWCA member event, so all swimmers must have a valid NOWCA membership on event day.

But your membership isn’t just for the big day! It gives you access to over 40 managed open water swimming venues across the UK, so you can train and prepare for Dock2Dock – and keep swimming long after you’ve crossed the finish line.

At just £20 per year (that’s only £1.67 per month), your NOWCA membership also includes Premium access to the NOWCA Wild app, NOWCA Protect insurance cover, discounts on courses and a whole host of exclusive benefits through NOWCA Perks.

Find out more

EVENT SCHEDULE

The event schedule outlines the registration, swim start, and swim cut-off times for each distance.

Dock2Dock offers very generous registration and swim times for each distance.

As a general rule of thumb, swimmers will enter the water from 7.30am – 1.00pm. The exact start times for each distance will be confirmed closer to event day.

The detailed event schedule 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 Swim Safety 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:

Water temperature on event day

START PROCEDURE & SWIM COURSE

Swim Style

There are 3 swim styles to choose from:

Wetsuit: You must select this category if you intend to wear a wetsuit (full or partial), buoyancy shorts, a neoprene vest, sleeves or any other neoprene clothing or equipment beyond the three accessories listed above.

Skins: Standard swimming costume or trunks (including jammers, knee length lycra suits), with NO neoprene clothing or accessories.

Accessories: You may select this if you are swimming in skins but intend to wear any or all of the following: neoprene gloves, booties, neoprene swim cap. These are the only neoprene items permitted for this style.

Swim Start Wave

There are two waves to choose from:

Mass Start – eligible for prizes
A limited amount of spaces are available for the mass start for each distance (the 15k distance is mass start only). This group will enter the water and have a few minutes to acclimatise before the starting marshal sets everyone off at the same time. Only mass start participants are eligible for prizes.

Rolling Start – NOT eligible for any prizes
A more relaxed start, allowing you to enter the water at your own pace within the allocated start window for your distance. Your timing begins when you cross the timing mat on the entry pontoon. 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. Rolling start participants are not eligible for prizes.

Learn more about Mass and Rolling Start.

Prizes

If you choose the Wetsuit or Skins style, you will be able to choose your wave preference – Mass or Rolling Start.

If you choose the Accessories style, you will join the Rolling Start. If you wish to be eligible for prizes, you must enter under the Wetsuit style in the Mass Start.

Prizes are awarded to the overall winners in each distance for wetsuit and skins. We do not offer age group prizes.

Swim course map for Dock2Dock 2026

Course

The course loops at Dock2Dock:

Short courses – 1.5k and 3k
Long course – 5k, 10k and 15k
Short + Long course – 8k

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. 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 an existing member, remember to bring your wristband with you on event day for speedier registration.

If you are a new NOWCA member, you can collect your wristband at the registration tent on event day. You can also collect your band before event day at any NOWCA network venue.

If your membership has lapsed, simply log into your account and pay for membership to reactivate your account (which also reactivates your wristband).

Replacement wristbands are available on the day at a nominal cost.

Race Kit

Race kits are collected at the registration tent on event day and will include:

Official event swim cap: You will receive a cap that represents your swim distance. For your safety, this cap must be worn at all times during the event.
Timing band: The band must be worn to capture your swim time at the start and finish area.
Bag drop tags: To be used if you intend to leave your belongings in our secure bag drop facility.

Tow Floats

Participants in all distances must swim with a bright tow float – no exceptions!

You must bring your own tow float – there may be a limited number available to purchase on event day but this is not guaranteed.

Wetsuits

Wetsuits are optional at the Dock2Dock except for any swimmer aged between 12-15 on the day of the event. Participants aged between 12-15 must wear a full length wetsuit.

Participants can choose their category upon entry – wetsuit, skins or accessories. 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