The event, organised by the Swindon North and Thamesdown Rotary Club, saw teams of friends, families, colleagues and community groups swim in relay for 55 minutes while raising sponsorship for causes important to them.
Rather than being a race, the focus was on fundraising and participation. Swimmers of all ages and abilities joined in throughout the morning and early afternoon.
Last year the event raised £6,850 for charity, and organisers hoped to surpass that total this time.
Rotary chair Colin Horsby explained how the fundraising model works. He said: “We’re raising funds for local charities, so our sponsored charity this year is Phoenix Enterprises.
“Each swimmer raises funds for their own personal charity as well, and it’s a 50-50 split, so half goes to their chosen cause and half goes to our nominated charity.”
Participants collected sponsorship individually, with Amazon vouchers awarded to the three swimmers who raised the highest amounts.
There was no requirement to complete a set distance or swim at a certain speed. Volunteers counted the number of lengths completed during each team’s 55-minute relay, with medals and certificates handed out to show how far each swimmer had travelled.
This year’s nominated charity, Phoenix Enterprises, supports more than 120 vulnerable adults in Swindon who are living with mental health challenges, learning difficulties and physical disabilities.
The organisation helps people build confidence, develop life skills and improve employability through structured daily support.
Among those taking part were young swimmers Elise, Anabel and Holly, who spoke after completing their relay challenge.
Elise said she had set herself a personal target before getting in the pool and was delighted to beat it.
“I did 130 lengths, and I wanted to do over 120,” she said.
Anabel admitted the challenge was tough physically, but said she was determined to keep going.
“I found it quite difficult, but I didn’t give up,” she said.
The swimmers were raising money for both the Swindon Dolphins and Phoenix Enterprises.
One swimmer said they had also taken part in the Swimathon last year and managed to beat their previous total. “I beat it by 22 lengths,” they said.
Horsby said the Swimathon also aimed to inspire younger members of the community to get involved.
“As Rotarians we want to do things for our community,” he said. “The Swindon Dolphins are a youth organisation, and it’s good to encourage young people to do things for their community.
“They get a sense of fulfilment out of doing it, a sense of achievement from the number of lengths they’ve swum, and we all raise money for a good cause.”
The Swimathon remains a firm fixture in Swindon’s charity calendar, blending community spirit with practical support for local organisations.
