Swimathon at Waltham Forest Feel Good Centre

Do you know that every year we host Swimathon? It is a charity-based swimming event to raise money for Cancer Research UK, Marie Curie and the Swimathon Foundation. 2026 marked the 40th anniversary of Swimathon and over the weekend 21st and 22nd April there were 9 local legends who went for a significant swim at Waltham Forest Feel Good Centre. The vast majority of these were done on Sunday.  

We want to thank everyone who took part or supported the swimmers for their contribution to the wholesome weekend. We provided complimentary bananas, granola bars and water for post swim along with their well-earned medals.  
Swimmers have the option to swim solo or as a team. Solo swims are 500m, 2.5k, 5k or triple 5k. Team Swims are 5k and comprise of 2 to 5 people.  

Swimathon is eligible to any age but under 16s need to be accompanied by an adult. Were you one of the parents watching your child swimming at distance week wondering how far you could go? Swimathon 2027 could be the answer! 
Swimathon is about community spirit and celebrating every length swum for charity. Lukas and Mariella Vernal swam their 500 metres length for length together in 24 minute 28 seconds. Maybe synchronised diving will be their next challenge! On the topic of diving, did you know we had children and adult diving here on Thursdays and Saturdays?   

We had two people swim 2.5k which is exactly 100 lengths of our pool. Craig Blanche had the fastest time with 1 hour 35 seconds. Many people might find swimming that for length of time a battle so imagine what Sean Mattson and Kirsty Chapman went through as they completed their 5ks which meant they were swimming for over 2 hours to complete their 200 lengths.  

With all sporting events there will always be people who push their body to the limit and David Kearney was one of our swimmers who did that. David on Sunday completed his 3rd 5k of the Swimathon weekend in a very impressive time of 1 hour 19 minutes and 35 seconds.  

Feeling inspired? Go over to the Swimathon website for more information.