Steve Wand International Memorial Swims (100x100m) 31st Jan & 1st Feb 2026

Offering 100x100m on both Sat 31st Jan ‘26 (10:30-14:30) and Sun 1st Feb (08:00-12:00) with 5 rep lane options of 1:40, 1:45, 1:50, 1:55 and 2:00 (50 swimmers both days!)

ALL SURPLUS FROM SWIM GOES TO THE AIR AMBULANCE KENT SURREY SUSSEX

Sat 31st Jan '26- Briefing 10:30am at the cafe Charlton Lido for 11am in the water

Sun 1st Feb '26 - Briefing 08:00 at the cafe Charlton Lido for 08:30 in the water

*Why we swim*

On 20th December 2015, a group of 6 keen swimmers assembled at Charlton Lido's 50m outdoor pool to swim a classic set of 100 x 100m (10km) off 2 minutes to get ourselves fitter and front-run the turkey over the festive period.

Sadly one of our group is no longer with us. During the Easter weekend in 2016, Steve Wand (far left of picture) was fatally injured while out training on his bike and the world lost one of the fittest athletes of his age group. He is survived by his wife Janice and 2 children.

On Sat 31st Jan and Sun 1st Feb 2026, a group of ca. 100 passionate swimmers and triathletes from all over the UK (and Europe!) will join forces to replicate the 100 x 100m (10km) swim in Steve's memory raising money for Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance Trust. We swim for ourselves, for charity and, most importantly, for Steve's memory.

Each lane will comprise of 10 swimmers holding themselves to very stringent rep times of 1:40, 1:45, 1:50, 1:55and 2 mins. This is the first year we have had 5 lanes across 2 days now offering a 1:55 option so there's a proper ladder of challenges as you improve (or age!).

This will be the 9th year we have run the event (having raised almost £30k so far over the prior 8 events). This event is NO swimathon....it is brutally tough and will last over 3 hours - so very similar to a marathon with many swimmers achieving many PBs in the process!

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Host or Publisher Mark Sheridan