Outdoor swimming has never been so popular, and in this Olympic year it’s sure to get yet another boost as more of us get inspired by the open water events at London 2012. It’s probably too late to secure entry to Team GB for this year’s Serpentine races, but there’s lots more going on. Here’s our guide to the best events of 2012 …

The Big Swim
Sunday 29 January 2012

Get in quick for this Aussie swim – Palm Beach to Whale Beach in Sydney – as it takes place in just over a week (online entries close Saturday 28 January at 3pm). I’m reliably informed that The Big Swim, which dates back to 1974, is infinitely preferable to the overly corporate Cole Classic (removed from this list on expert advice!). The Big Swim is a 2.5 km swim in open ocean, beach to beach and conditions can vary from flat calm to very strong swells. Sounds invigorating.
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Byron Bay Ocean Swim Classic
Sunday 6 May 2012

As winter approaches in Byron Bay, New South Wales, The Byron Bay Ocean Swim Classic gets underway. Run by a local ocean swimming club, the Winter Whales, this race offers a choice of two swims – the Beach Hotel Ocean Swim Classic (2.2 km) and the shorter Westpac Mini Swim (800m). Both swims follow a buoyed course and finish at Main Beach Byron Bay.
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The British Gas Great Swims
May to August 2012

Firmly established at the UK’s premier mass participation swims, the Great Swims attract swimmers from around the world and raise millions for charity every year. This year the events kick off with the Great London Swim (1 mile) held in the Royal Victoria Dock on Saturday 26 May 2012. The Great East Swim (half mile, 1 mile and 2 mile races) takes place in Alton Water Park, Suffolk on Saturday 16 June, with the Great North Swim (half mile, 1 mile and 2 mile races) at Lake Windermere held over the weekend of 22–24 June. The Great Manchester Swim will be held at Salford Quays (1 mile) on Sunday 1 July and the season closes on Saturday 25 August when the Great Scottish Swim (half mile, 1 mile and 2 mile races) kicks off in Strathclyde Country Park. The Great Swims also have a fab website with lots of tips for outdoor swimming and inspiring stories from swimmers who’ve had Great Swim experience.
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Manhattan Island Marathon Swim
Saturday 23 June 2012

Surely one of the most iconic swims, the Manhattan Island Marathon Swim is not for the faint hearted as it is a complete circumnavigation of Manhattan Island, covering 28.5 miles. The start and finish is near Wall Street in view of the Statue of Liberty. Entry is limited to 25 solo swimmers and 18 relay teams, and a qualifying swim is required. At time of writing enrolment for solo swim had closed however enrolment for relay teams will remain open until May (or until the slots are filled).
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The Monster Swim
Saturday 18 August 2012

New kid on the block The Monster Swim is in a monster loch, Loch Ness in the Highlands of Scotland. The loch contains more fresh water than all other lakes in Great Britain combined, and is, allegedly, home to Nessie, the Loch Ness Monster. Don’t let any of that put you off though, this swim is a friendly, welcoming event with two distances – half mile and mile. A non-wetsuit swim requires a qualification swim on Friday 17 August, but otherwise swims are open to anyone over 14 (half mile) and 16 (mile).
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The Hellespont, Turkey
Thursday 30 August 2012

This iconic race linking Europe and Asia across the 2 mile strait known as the Hellespont takes place every year on 30 August. The date is significant as it commemorates victory for the Turks in the Turkish War of Independence against the Greeks in 1922. The crossing was made famous by English poet Lord Byron who, in 1810, became the first known person to swim the Hellespont. Byron swam across in honour of Leander, who in Greek mythology, would swim it nightly to reach his lover Hero. Today, the race draws swimmers from all around Turkey and overseas. SwimTrek, purveyors of fine swimming holidays, are responsible for all overseas entries to the race.
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The Dart 10K
Saturday 8 September 2012

Run by the Outdoor Swimming Society, this event is all about the journey as swimmers meander 10 km down the River Dart in Devon (UK) through warm (ish) fresh water (last year it was 15ºC). There’s a great atmosphere at the race with swimmers enjoying a hot tub, local delicacies and a sing-song at the finish.
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La Jolla Rough Water Swim
Sunday 9 September 2012

Held in La Jolla Cove, just north of San Diego in California The La Jolla Rough Water Swim is another multi-distance event, this time the races are 250 yds, 1 mile and 3 miles. Dating back to 1916 and nicknamed The Big Wet One, this swim is limited to around 2,000 entrants and attracts California’s most accomplished open water swimmers. La Jolla Cove forms a great natural arena for a swimming race and offers spectators a terrific view of the proceedings.
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The Peter Pan Cup Christmas Morning Handicap Swim
Tuesday 25 December 2012

Finally a chance to hit the Olympic 10k marathon course, but this race is a fraction of that at 100 yards. Given that the temperature of the water will be around 3ºC on Christmas day that’s no bad thing. The Peter Pan Cup dates back to 1864 and has been a seasonal tradition ever since. The race is held in the Serpentine in London’s Hyde Park.
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Good luck to everyone taking part. If you have experience of any of these swims (or any others that I haven’t mentioned) please add a comment below, we’d love to get your recommendations.

NB This article has been updated since publication.