The Mawddach Estuary
2024 dates for the "Hurly Burly":
- Sat 06 July
- Sun 21 July
- Fri 26 July
About the Hurly Burly
In 2017 The OSS introduced the Mawddach estuary to many swimmers with an organised swim event, christened the Hurly Burly.
A fabulous journey, in a stunning location. A 10km adventure swim on the Mawddach estuary. Chief guide, Mike, first swam this route in the winter of 2013, in lots of neoprene.
Now is your chance to complete this spectacular swim in a small group.
A fabulous journey, in a stunning location. A 10km adventure swim on the Mawddach estuary. Chief guide, Mike, first swam this route in the winter of 2013, in lots of neoprene.
Now is your chance to complete this spectacular swim in a small group.
The Dyfi Estuary
The Bridge 20KM
Swim from Aberdyfi Beach to the railway bridge and back. That's 20km total, an unforgettable swim experience. This is the most challenging swim we offer.
Tide assisted for the majority of the swim, expect a finish time of around 4hr 30m.
Subscribe to hear about 2024 dates.
Swim from Aberdyfi Beach to the railway bridge and back. That's 20km total, an unforgettable swim experience. This is the most challenging swim we offer.
Tide assisted for the majority of the swim, expect a finish time of around 4hr 30m.
Subscribe to hear about 2024 dates.
The Tafol Tumble
Starting from Aberdyfi beach swim all the way to a pebbly beach where the River Tafol joins the Dyfi Estuary. Here you will "tumble-turn" and swim back to Aberdyfi, your tumble will coincide with the turning of the tide, more or less! A total of 8km.
We usually stop for a drink and snack at the secluded pebbly beach as it would be a shame not to! Everyone loves this swim, find out why.
NEW DATES COMING SOON!
Starting from Aberdyfi beach swim all the way to a pebbly beach where the River Tafol joins the Dyfi Estuary. Here you will "tumble-turn" and swim back to Aberdyfi, your tumble will coincide with the turning of the tide, more or less! A total of 8km.
We usually stop for a drink and snack at the secluded pebbly beach as it would be a shame not to! Everyone loves this swim, find out why.
NEW DATES COMING SOON!
The Menai Straits
We offer a 20km castle to castle swim through the infamous Menai Straits. The idea for this swim came from a four-time Dyfi 13 veteran, Darren Payne, who we guided on a fundraising swim on this very route, details here. With over 15 years experience of sea kayaking & swimming around Anglesey, we know how to work the tide.
Dawn over the Dyfi Estuary
PREREQUISITE
- Hurly Burly: Open water swim speed of 3km/h sustained over 2 hrs.
- Tafol Tumble: Open water swim speed of 3km/h sustained over 2 hrs.
- The Bridge: Open water swim speed of 3.2km/h sustained over 3 hrs.
- Menai Straits: Open water swim speed of 3.4km/h sustained over 3 hrs.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Group size of 5 to 10, all of which will meet the pre-requisite swim speed. We will be in touch with all participants to advise on meeting time & place, and further details about the swim. On the point to point swims transport is provided.
Includes all logistics & shuttles, expert guiding, water safety & first aid, photos, nutrition as required.
WEATHER
If conditions are such that we need to change plan, then we will.
Once you've swum under Barmouth bridge, your swimming amphitheatre awaits
RNLI Fundraiser
On Monday 24 July we helped Darren Payne take on a very special 20km endurance swim from Beaumaris Castle to Caernarfon Castle through the Menai Straits, raising money for Aberystwyth & Borth RNLI. Donations welcome here,
Friend of WeSwimRun Sue Haines also joined the swim and set a great pace for Darren.
Friend of WeSwimRun Sue Haines also joined the swim and set a great pace for Darren.
Your Guide
Chief guide, Mike, has been exploring the Dyfi & Mawddach estuaries since 2012. He founded Aberdyfi Swim in 2017 after regularly swimming all of the routes.
RLSS Open Water Lifeguard, International Sea Kayak Guide, RYA Safety Boat, Mountain Leader, RLSS NWSMP Instructor, REC First Aid are just a few of his relevant qualifications. Aside from the quals, what is key to success on the Dyfi & Mawddach is excellent & recent local knowledge.
All staff that we employ are local, highly experienced & qualified outdoor professionals.
RLSS Open Water Lifeguard, International Sea Kayak Guide, RYA Safety Boat, Mountain Leader, RLSS NWSMP Instructor, REC First Aid are just a few of his relevant qualifications. Aside from the quals, what is key to success on the Dyfi & Mawddach is excellent & recent local knowledge.
All staff that we employ are local, highly experienced & qualified outdoor professionals.
The Cool Mile, Apr 2023
TESTIMONIAL
Josie was among a group of swimmers who took on The Triple Crown 30km over 3 days, here's what she said:
"A huge thank you for arranging such an amazing weekend. I loved every minute of every swim. They were all very different and posed their own challenges. I even enjoyed the struggle against the tide, although glad it was only a small stretch that was really tough.
I was worried beforehand that those distances in just 3 days might be too much, so finding myself wanting to do more has been a lovely surprise. I hope you have recovered from hours of being on your SUP, that was quite amazing to see.
Many thanks again to you and your team, for a great weekend."
"A huge thank you for arranging such an amazing weekend. I loved every minute of every swim. They were all very different and posed their own challenges. I even enjoyed the struggle against the tide, although glad it was only a small stretch that was really tough.
I was worried beforehand that those distances in just 3 days might be too much, so finding myself wanting to do more has been a lovely surprise. I hope you have recovered from hours of being on your SUP, that was quite amazing to see.
Many thanks again to you and your team, for a great weekend."
The Tafol Tumble (guided), 2022
The Tafol Tumble 8km, one of our favourites at sunrise
Mike first swam these routes on the Dyfi estuary in 2012, Menai Straits 2010, and the Mawddach estuary in 2013. He learnt about all of these stretches of water initially from his sea kayak. During this time he co-authored The Wild Swimming Code with Dan Graham for Natural Resources Wales.
The Dyfi estuary, 2012
Tide Times
Tide predictions for Barmouth are here. Actual high tide can vary depending on whereabouts on the estuary you are. Pressure systems and heavy rainfall can also have an impact locally.
SwimTrek, Isle of Jura, Scotland 2009
Returning from a circumnavigation of Clare Island, Co. Mayo April, 2014
