Nokia and Human Race are staging the first ever Nokia Thames Swim between Hampton Court Palace and Ravens Ait, a small island in the Thames south of Kingston Bridge. The Nokia Thames Swim is a fixed distance of 2 miles with safety on the Thames being paramount swimmers will be set off in waves of 100 at 10 minute intervals and will swim in the direction of the current down one half of the river. There will also be teams of kayakers (supported by Tim Brabants) patrolling the two mile stretch and spotters placed along the banks of the River at 50m intervals. Competitors will never be more than 15 metres from the river bank.
‘This is something I’ve always wanted to do’ said Human Race founder, John Lunt, ‘to stage a swim event in a stunning place where you can’t normally swim; together with the support of Hampton Court Palace, the Environmental Agency and Nokia we can offer this amazing opportunity for the first time – in what we expect will become a classic event.’
The Nokia Thames Swim is part of the Nokia Outdoor Series, a selection of events designed to celebrate the great outdoors and enable people to enjoy being active together in some of the UK’s most spectacular locations.
The Nokia Thames Swim was selected to be part of the Nokia Outdoor Series because it offers a fantastic sporting challenge in one of the most iconic stretches of water in the UK, the River Thames.
Nokia is creating a dedicated website of information and top training tips and videos to help get you and your supporters ready for the event. Register at www.nokiaoutdoorseries.co.uk to be one of the first to hear when the site is going live.
Although the race is not for novice swimmers, it is open to anyone of competent swimming ability aged 18 or over on race day, with wetsuits being compulsory. A bag drop will be available on the day.