Bournemouth hosts one of Europe’s biggest sea swims to boost heart health
Bournemouth’s Pier to Pier Swim returns today with thousands expected to take part and raise money for The British Heart Foundation
Last updated 5th Jul 2025
Thousands are flocking to Bournemouth today to take on one of Europe’s biggest open water swimming events.
Swimmers will go from Pier to Pier - 1.4 miles – in aid of the British Heart Foundation.
It comes as a growing number of people across the UK take to lakes, lidos and coastal waters as cold-water swimming rapidly becomes a national pastime.
Sea swimmer Lorraine Candy, who’s taking part this afternoon, has told us open-water swimming has helped improve her mental health.
She said: “One of the things that draws me to open water swimming is that there’s immense social connection and when you look at the science, good social connections are the biggest predictor of a long and healthy life.
“I just wish more people would weave it into their lives; you don't necessarily have to get out into the sea but just find somewhere.”.
Despite many taking the plunge, there remains a large proportion of people who say they’ve considered giving it a try but admit they’re “put off by the cold”.
With around one in five people in the UK not having swum in over a decade, health professionals from the British Heart Foundation are calling on swimmers of all abilities to take on one of the UK’s most iconic endurance swims - the Bournemouth Pier-to-Pier Swim.
Lorraine, who's making the trek from Pensilva in Cornwall, said: “I was a hopeless front crawl swimmer and it probably took me a year to kind of get my head around that it's not a sport and I don't have to be brilliant at it, just being in the water is enough.”
Last year, more than 1,200 people took part in the annual event, raising over £270,000 for the British Heart Foundation.
The British Heart Foundation is urging more get involved after a recent survey revealed the significant benefits it has in improving heart health.
According to the research, cold water swimming can lower blood pressure, improve cholesterol levels, and help manage key risk factors for heart disease.
This year’s event is set to take place on Saturday, July 5, across three timings, 12.30pm, 1.15pm and 2.45pm.
All participants are recommended to wear wetsuits to help them stay afloat and keep warm however, those aged under 18 are required to wear wetsuits.
Additional support is available for swimmers who require extra assistance, including one-to-one lifeguard support, help entering or exiting the water and a chair at the start line.