Friday 1 January, 11am
Polar Bear Challenge
Our New Year’s Day tradition, back for another year. Register early — it fills up.
Sign-ups open · £10 including a hat
What's on at the lake
Swims, races, socials, work parties and the Polar Bear Challenge — everything happening on the water this season.
Next up
The full calendar
Everything here is run by volunteers, and everything is free unless a price is shown.
1
Jan
Polar Bear Challenge
Friday 1 January, 11am
Our New Year’s Day tradition, back for another year. Register early — it fills up.
Every week, all year
You do not have to wait for an event. There is a group in the water most days — turn up, say hello, and swim with whoever is there.
Monday sunrise swim
First light, before work. Usually eight or nine of us, usually brief in January.
Wednesday accessible session
10am, with the pool hoist set up at the steps and two volunteers on hand. Book the hoist a few days ahead.
Book the hoistThursday after-work dip
6pm through the summer, 4:30pm once the clocks go back. The chattiest swim of the week.
Saturday laps
8am for anyone training. Two lanes marked out along the wall, no pressure to keep up.
Sunday family float
11am, shallow end, floats and inflatables allowed. Under-16s with an adult.
First Sunday work party
Steps, silt and litter, 9am to 1pm on the first Sunday of the month. No experience needed, gloves provided.
Join a work partyRun your own event here
Swim clubs, triathlon groups, schools, charity challenges and film crews all use the lake. We do not charge for the water — it is a public seafront — but we do ask that larger events are booked with us so we can keep everyone safe and let regular swimmers know.
Tell us what you have in mind and we will come back with tide times that work, what you would need to bring, and what we can help with.
Enquire about an event
Never miss a swim
One email a month: what's coming up, what the water is doing, and when the next work party is. Unsubscribe whenever you like.
Help us keep the lake free for everyone
The Marine Lake is run by the community Mudlarks. Every donation, every volunteer hour and every sponsor keeps the water open and free to swim in.