The 2018 Great Swim Series is open for entries, and for those who step up to the challenge, there could be a cash prize and the opportunity to train with a British Swimming program.
The Great North Swim is the first race of the series and also doubles up as the qualifier for the European Championships and the European Junior Championships this summer.
This is followed by the Great East and the Great Scottish which make up the Great British Open Water Elite Series.
Daisy Hill, 18, won the Great British Open water Elite Series 2017 and has now been invited to attend the British Swimming open water training camp in Mallorca this summer.
She said: “I used to be a pool swimmer and a friend suggested to me that I should do open water with them.
“I was really surprised to have done as well in last year’s series – open water swimming is really different and much more tactical.
“When I go away on the camp I’m looking forward to learning some new skills and working with other athletes – it’s just an opportunity that comes along that often.
“I haven’t thought as far ahead as Tokyo – I tend to take one race at a time, but if the chance came along I’d definitely take it!”
British Swimming’s Marathon Lead Bernie Dietzig is encouraging swimmers to come and take part and see if they have what it takes to compete in open water.
He said: “We have a lot of talented and hardworking swimmers in this country who dedicate hours within a pool – the Great British Open Water Elite Series gives individuals three well organised race opportunities through the 2018 season
“Not only will you get the chance to compete against some of our best marathon swimmers, but it will also be a unique opportunity to get noticed.
“Depending on previous experience and age of the winner, we offer the right stepping stone for this individual to hopefully progress to the next level.”
Along with an £800 cash prize, selection to a British Swimming programme is on offer for the female and male winner of the series.
As this is an Elite Race Series, entry criteria has been set and can be viewed here: To enter email GNSElite@swimming.org
- The 2018 Great North Swim 5km will take place at Brockhole at Lake Windermere on the 10th June.
- The 2018 Great East Swim 5km will be held on Saturday June 23 in Alton Water, Suffolk.
- The Great Scottish Swim 1 mile will be on Loch Lomond on Saturday August 25.
The British marathon swimmers begin their FINA 10K World Series competition in Doha, Qatar on the 17th March before heading off to the Seychelles for the next leg on 20th May