Bruges Swim Event and Social Weekend
Dan here – I’ve have been coming back to this charming event since 2011 when I first raced the 5km. An almost dead-straight canal takes you from the village of Damme right to Bruges. This weekend is sensibly priced, swimmer friendly with easy sighting!
The weekend acts as a small fundraiser for the local swim club. The swims are under FINA rules so no wetsuit, jewellery, watches and proper swim suits must be worn (no zips or neoprene etc.). Fear not – there is a fun wave over 4km with wetsuits. Ideal IM training.
ITINERARY
Race day is most likely to be August 2019. Bear with us as we wait for confirmation. This is a small event run by a local swim club who are at the mercy of the local authorities. Don’t book Travel and Hotels too early. In fact you cannot book Eurostar just yet as they make you wait until 6months before your travel date. Check back in Feb!
Sat afternoon: Meet in Bruges and take taxis to Damme, or make your own way. We will try to travel together where possible. In the past we have flown to Brussels and caught the train, as well as driven directly via Ferry. This year we took the Eurostar which was very easy.
This link will take you to the Bruges City Break page which will get you a ticket to Brussels and include the additional Belgium train ticket to Bruges. The usual Eurostar destinations obviously do not include Bruges.
https://www.eurostar.com/uk-en/city-breaks/bruges
Sunday Morning: Meet for registration and team talk before the swim!
Organised dinner in Bruge Sunday PM after some sightseeing if you wish to join the group.
Monday morning: after a lie in and breakfast (followed by a walk along the canal) we head home.
SWIM OPTIONS
The SPORTS CLUB is where registration takes place if you are a club swimmer entering the 3km or 5km swims.
The 4km is slightly different and registration is in a marquee at the swim exit. Look for the Paddle Boat area on the opposite side of the canal to the sports club. You can still use the changing rooms and showers at the sports club.
HOTELS
The village of Damme is nicely situated away from the more expensive city centre of Bruges. Friends and partners are then already at the start of the swim to cheer you on. We finish back at the Bruges end of the canal, so they can walk down with you cheering, very fun. After registration, a bus will take swimmers from Bruges back to the swim start along the canal in the Damme area. 3km get dropped off earlier, 5km the furthest.
I have stayed at the following places and can recommend them, but please note suitability depending on whether you drive or not.
Hotel Vredehof a few miles from Damme, ideal if you drive.
De Gouden Kop – self-catering apartment in Damme.
Search here for more Damme options.
You can stay in Bruges and registration might well prove easier but it does cost more.
PROGRAM and TIME TABLE
11.30am: registration of the participants at SPORTS CLUB, The Witte Beer, Damse Vaart Zuid te 8310 Brugge.
Registration fee: € 8,00
- 13.45 5000 m Free style open men
- 13.45 3000 m Breast Stroke open men
- 13.50 5000 m Free style open women
- 13.50 3000 m Breast Stroke open women
- 14.00 3000 m Free style women/men
For those swim events, you have to be licensed by a club with the UK swimming Association.
The entries for the 4000m will be made before end of July at www.brugsezwemkring.be.
Registration fee: € 20,00
15.15 h 4000 m for non-licensed swimmers
To take part in this swim, you will need to email me the following, and then I will create a group booking
- Your preferred distance and stroke
- Name
- Date of birth
- Club code
Hope you can join us in Bruges!
