How to plan a river swimming route

A long and lazy river swim under the dappled light from riverside trees is a quintessentially summer pastime. Jonathan Cowie has your guide to planning a safe river swimming adventure. 

Route planning: thing to consider when planning a river swim

Length of route. Don’t bite off more than you can chew! Better to start small and work up to longer swims as you get more experienced (and fitter).

Entry and exit points. These are key, and always best to recce your entry and exit points on the ground before swimming. If you are planning a long swim it is always a good idea to have some emergency exit points too. 

Know your map! Is the land your entry and exit points are on private or open access? If your route also involves walking is the land flat or hilly? Take into account elevation when planning how long your walking route will take.

Are you doing an A to B swim or a ‘there and back’? If a there and back, swim against the current first and then return with the flow. You don’t want to risk not being able to swim back if the current is too strong. If an A to B, think about how you will carry your kit or where you could stash it at the end of your swim. 

Conditions: how to stay safe when swimming in a river

Rivers have their own currents and can sometimes be tidal if they flow into the sea. This can allow you to plan swims where you swoosh down (or up) an estuary. Always check the flow before you swim to make sure it is safe to enter the water. The flow is generally strongest in the centre of the river. 

Be aware that river flow can change depending on conditions (eg, tides or rainfall). Just because a river is in full flow doesn’t mean you can’t swim. Fun times (and a good workout) can be had by swimming against the flow and going nowhere! Just make sure that you can exit the water safely and don’t get too tired. Swimming with the current can also be fun but again make sure you are doing so safely – a second exit point in case you are swept past your first is a good idea. 

Hazards such as weirs, locks and other river structures should be avoided. The turbulent water below a weir can suck you down and trap you under the water. Also look out for obstacles, wildlife (particularly nesting swans as they can be very defensive!), other river users, debris in the water and signs of changes of current such as eddies. 

Further information on safe river swimming can be found in our River Swimming Guide.