The organisers of the Festival of Chill – taking place at Jesus Green Lido this Saturday (14th March 2026) – have released information for registered swimmers. Please find full details below.
Apologies if you are not taking part in the event and receive this information by email. However, please note, members of the public are warmly invited to the lido to cheer on swimmers, soak up the festival atmosphere and support the fundraising effort. Entry for spectators is free but donations to Arthur Rank Hospice are welcome.
INFORMATION FOR SWIMMERS
Details of your exact swim time and lane number will be available when you arrive at the Lido.
Registration will open at 9:45am.
Races start at 10:40am.
When you register, you will be given a wrist band and instructions.
Please allow plenty of time to arrive and register.
You must attend a race briefing to be held at the start at the following times:
Briefing for individual 100-yard races: 10:25am
Briefing for 200-yard races and relays: 11:25am
You must be at the start 10 minutes before your race begins.
If you are late, you may not be allowed to swim.
You may wear shoes and one warm top or robe or towel at the start. There will be baskets to put items in, which will then be magically ferried to the other end for the one length races.
Please only bring permitted items to the race assembly point. Tokens for lockers will be available at the welcome desk. Please use these for valuables. There will also be a bag drop available at the finish end of the pool.
RACE RULES
Please read the race rules below or download the attached PDF.
- All swimmers start in the water. Diving is not permitted.
- At the start, your shoulders must be under the water with one hand touching the side.
- In a head-up breaststroke race you must ensure that your eyes do not go below the water level at any time during the race. Infringement of this rule will incur a five-second penalty.
- In the 200-yard freestyle tumble turns are not allowed. Infringement of this rule will incur a five second penalty.
- For the change-over in the relays, the outgoing swimmer must hold the side until the incoming swimmer has touched.
- There will be two swimmers in each lane (lanes are wide); but if you veer into the other swimmer’s half of the lane you will be penalised.
- 100- and 200-yard freestyle non-neoprene races – swimmers may wear a costume and one non-neoprene hat, but no gloves, socks etc
- Wetsuits, neoprene socks, gloves and hats are permitted in the 100 and 200 yard freestyle neoprene races and also in the breaststroke races and relays.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
• Exit the water immediately if you feel unwell, dizzy, or excessively cold.
• Lifeguards and safety marshals are on duty at all times.
• Always follow marshal and lifeguard instructions.
• Photographs will be taken during the event.
NOTES FOR SWIM CAPTAINS
- If you are the captain of a relay team, please forward these details to your team, and ask them to email organisers with their own name + age and name + phone number of their emergency contact.
- Please let us know of any accessibility requirements and support needs by sending an email.
Please get in contact if you have questions this week. On the day there will be people at the welcome table throughout the event to help.
Spectators are very welcome. There is no charge to come and watch but donations are welcome. There will be plenty to do poolside with face painting and a raffle with proceeds going to the Arthur Rank Hospice. Refreshments will be available from the pool kiosk, plus there will be stalls offering cakes and pizza.
Prize giving will take place at 12:55pm and the Centenary Cygnets will perform a short, chilly synchronised swimming performance at 13.20pm.
Guidance on how to find the Lido and parking is available on the eventbrite page under FAQs.
We look forward to seeing you on Saturday
The Festival of Chill organising team