The UK's largest open water swimming event, the Arla Great North Swim, will hold its annual competition on June 7-9, 2024.

Each year, the event is noted for the inspiring stories participants share about their motivations to swim and participate.

In anticipation of this year's Arla Great North Swim, the event organisers are holding a shakeout swim on March 22, 2024, to celebrate the onset of spring.

The warm-up event will feature a host of inspiring individuals set to compete during the weekend.

Included in the line-up is Rhianon Gale, 44, from Poulton-le-Fylde, who lives with chronic pain.

She said: "Open water swimming has changed my life; I've reduced my painkiller usage and I can actually get exercise now.

"The open water swimming community has also been amazing for my mental health."

Ambassador for the event, Vickie Orton, 55, from Otley, said: "I have multiple sclerosis and am a wheelchair user. Before using a wheelchair, I was an active walker and hill walker; I miss walking with a passion and open water swimming is the only thing that has come close to replacing the gap I feel.

"It's a fantastic way to be in the open air and observe nature; enjoy peace and feel tranquil.

"Since taking up swimming I've seen an improvement in pain; mobility and mental health.

"I've also made lots of new friends."

Adding to the diverse participant list, Bill Moore, 86, from Wakefield, is enthusiastic about the upcoming event: "I will be 87 when I swim the Great North Swim in June.

"I will continue to swim for as long as I am able."

The forthcoming meet has been themed 'Every Body Swim,' aimed at highlighting the inclusivity of swimming for everyone, regardless of ability while emphasising the liberating feeling derived from swimming.

The event launch in March also features local swim groups, Dr. Hussain - an NHS Doctor and advocate of swim as medicine, representatives from Windermere's local authority and community, volunteers and stakeholders.

Paul Foster, chief executive of the Great Run Company, said: “The Arla Great North Swim is a truly inspirational event, watching participants come together to take part across the weekend in six distances from 250metre swim – a great choice if you’re looking to try the open water for the time, up to a 10k swim – the marathon of swims, there’s a distance across all ages and abilities, and the weekend produces an action packed agenda and leaves you inspired, all while within the most beautiful natural setting.

“Meeting up in March to showcase some of what outdoor swimming has to offer is an ideal opportunity for us to capture and share the inspiring stories of participants, while also encouraging even more people to join us in June, to share a rewarding experience that has excellent mental and physical benefits, too.”