LNTM19-26 – Dart 10k Swim – Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th July.

All Mariners are advised:

Dart 10k Swim – Sharpham Boathouse to Dartmouth (Dart Marina)

Saturday the 4th and Sunday the 5th of July 2026.

Effective until 6^th July 2026

Introduction:

This event involves 800 swimmers per day transiting downstream from pontoons moored near Sharpham Boathouse to Dart Marina in Dartmouth in groups on Saturday the 4th and Sunday the 5th of July 2026. As a result, there will be large numbers of swimmers in the navigational channel in this area each day.

Timings/ Locations:

Participants will swim from 3 ferries moored to pontoons that are anchored near Sharpham Boathouse in the upper reaches. Proceeding downstream to the Dart Marina in Dartmouth. They will start in groups as follows:

Saturday 4th July

Swimmers set off from between 10:05 and 10:55, with the cut off time for all swimmers 14:30

(timings and numbers are approximate)

Sunday 5th July

Swimmers set off from between 10:35 and 11:25, with the cut off time for all swimmers 15:00

(timings and numbers are approximate)

Route:

The route is approximately 10km long, departing from 3 pontoons moored near Sharpham Boat House and finishing at a pontoon in Dart Marina. The route is marked in pink on the chartlet below. There will be anchored pontoons along the way for swimmers to rest, near Cornworthy and Parson Mud.

Swimmers will be heading downstream, they are likely to remain to the western side of the channel for the majority of the route. Swimmers will be wearing swim hats (orange, red, white or blue). There will be a water safety team, using rescue RIBs and paddle boards. Dart Harbour will also be patrolling, contactable on VHF Ch11 “DartNav”.

Safety information.

Lookout duties.

All mariners are to keep a good look out and navigate with extreme caution during the event times, keeping well clear of swimmers.

Whilst navigating the whole river will require increased attend, areas that are likely to be pinch points will be:

Sharpham Boathouse – 3 pontoons moored where the swimmers enter the water. It is likely that vessels will be held up or downstream until the safety cover believe it is safe to pass.
Feed Station #1 – Near Cornworthy area, this pontoon will be used to allow swimmers to pause for a drink and snack
Blackness Marine – user of Blackness Marines facilities will need to take extra care when arriving or departing. The course passes close to these facilities.
Dittisham – Dittisham berth holders and users of the pontoon and visitor buoys must take extra care when using the moorings or pontoons. Dart Harbour Patrol vessels will provide traffic management, their directions must be followed.
Feed Station #2 – Near Parsons Mud area, this pontoon will be used to allow swimmers to pause for a drink and snack
Sandquay & Dart Marina Area – The swimmers will be swimming inshore of Admiralty Jetty and Dart Marina pontoons. It is likely that this area will be busy with swimmers and safety craft.

Temporary moorings & pontoons.

To allow the swimmers to set off safely, temporary pontoons and buoys have been laid in the Sharpham Boathouse area. The locations are as follows:

50°24.470’N 003°38.756’W (yellow light)
50°24.462’N 003°38.796’W
50°24.451’N 003°38.846’W (yellow light)

Masters are to follow instructions from the safety craft and directions from Dart Harbour Patrol vessels.

Jack Handley

Assistant Harbour Master – Compliance.

Level Water – a note from the organisers.

The Dart10k is arguably the finest, 10k swim on the open water calendar.

The event captures the pure essence and ethos of the wild swimming community. A journey, not a race. Starting in near Sharpham Boathouse, hundreds of swimmers will take on the River Dart, finishing in Dartmouth.

The river takes swimmers on a soulful journey towards Dartmouth, punctuated by landmarks such as the Lake of the Dart (longstream) and the Anchor Stone. One of the most beautiful stretches of river in the UK, and a bucket list swim for so many.

Supported by volunteers from the local swimming community, it is one of the most special events in the swimming calendar. The event is owned and operated by UK charity Level Water, who use the power of swimming to improve lives for children with disabilities.