Entries Open for RNLI Castle to Castle Swim 2026

Entries are now open for the 2026 RNLI Castle to Castle Swim, with 700 places available for what is described as an iconic one mile open water sea swim across the Carrick Roads.

The event takes place on Saturday 23rd May 2026, from 9am to 1pm, starting at Pendennis Point in Falmouth.

Swimmers can sign up via the official Eventbrite page here:
👉 RNLI Castle to Castle Swim 2026 entries

A One Mile Sea Swim Across Carrick Roads

The Castle 2 Castle Swim begins at Pendennis Castle in Falmouth and finishes at St Mawes Castle on the Roseland Peninsula.

It is open to anyone aged 14 and over, although participants must be intermediate or experienced open water swimmers. Entrants must be able to swim at least one mile in open water conditions.

Registration costs £40, and swimmers are asked to pledge to raise a minimum of £100 in sponsorship. According to the organisers, “every pound raised will support our volunteers in saving lives around our coast.”

An Early Bird ticket, saving £5, is available until 31st March 2026.

Strict Entry Requirements

There are several conditions for taking part:

• Swimmers must be at least 14 years old on the day of the event.

• All participants must provide and wear their own wetsuit.

• No swimmer will be allowed into the water without a wetsuit. A swim specific wetsuit is recommended for added buoyancy and warmth.

• All swimmers must attend the safety briefing before the start.

The event is largely run by volunteers. Organisers say it “promises to be great fun with a fantastic atmosphere.”

For those who would prefer not to swim, there are also volunteering opportunities available on the day.

Participants are required to read and agree to the event’s terms and conditions as part of the sign up process.

Alternate Date Confirmed

If the swim cannot go ahead due to unforeseen circumstances, an alternate date of Saturday 5th September 2026 has been set. All participants would automatically be transferred to this date.

Six RNLI Swim Events Across the South West

The Castle to Castle Swim is one of six RNLI swim events taking place in 2026, including two new venues in the South West.

The full schedule is:

• Saturday 23rd May – RNLI Castle 2 Castle Swim (Falmouth, Cornwall)

• Sunday 7th June – RNLI Buoy to Beacon Swim Run (St Agnes, Cornwall)

• Saturday 11th July – RNLI Around the Mount Swim (Marazion, Cornwall)

• Sunday 12th July – RNLI Mullion Island Swim (Mullion, Cornwall)

• Sunday 2nd August – RNLI Clovelly Swim (Clovelly, North Devon)

• Sunday 6th September – RNLI Lyme Splash Swim (Lyme Regis, Dorset)

Entries for all RNLI South West swim events can be found here:
👉 RNLI South West Swims 2026

With places capped at 700 and an Early Bird deadline approaching at the end of March, those hoping to take part in the Falmouth to St Mawes crossing may want to secure their spot sooner rather than later.