Swim For A Mile 2024

The Swim For a Mile Indoor Pool Challenge is back for 2024! 

If you are looking for a challenge to start 2024 on the right foot. Then Swim For A Mile is the event for you! Suitable for anyone over the age of 12, that can swim two lengths of a 25m pool, our program can get you up and swimming in no time!

With training programs and events across the country this year, the Indoor Swim For a Mile Challenge is back with a bang! Event bookings are now open, with training options commencing in January.

Find more information here

Back to the Pool

What is Swim For a Mile?

The Swim For A Mile (SFAM) Challenge is an initiative aiming to encourage people to get back into the pool and become confident, life-long swimmers.

The challenge has developed to include three different annual challenges;

  1. Indoor Pool Challenge; runs from January to April annually, and involves 10-12 weeks of training, followed by a timed mile or half mile swim. You have the option of training in your own time, or registering for SFAM coached sessions at your local SFAM associated pool. The programme progresses participants from being able to swim 2 lengths of a swimming pool, to completing a full mile at one of our SFAM event days, in a pool near you!
  2. Outdoor Pool Challenge; runs annually from June to August and involves the same process over 8-10 weeks in an outdoor, heated swimming pool!
  3. Individual Virtual Challenge; running throughout the year and allows you to follow the training programme and complete the mile in your own time at your local pool. Upon completion you will receive your SFAM medal and goodie bag.

Grow our Numbers

Why Swim For a Mile?

Did you know that over 230,000 adults swim in Ireland every week? It’s a big number, but we want to grow it further.

Perhaps you’re a lapsed swimmer, or would like to set yourself a challenge for the new year? As long as you can swim 25m of a pool comfortably, our Swim for a Mile training programme is for you.

Our programme has been designed with the World Health Organisation’s recommended weekly physical activity in mind, and so those who follow it will be meeting these standards automatically.

The initiative began in 2013 with thousands returning to the pool in the years since to swim a mile. The programme is open to those aged 12 an older, and we also run a half mile (800m) option for those who think the full mile is just out of reach.

Swim For A Mile Website →
Get Started

How does it work?

Choose to follow the training programme on your own by downloading the free training programme via www.swimforamile.com (available from mid-December). The training programme is written in an easy to follow manner with drill descriptions and video demonstrations. Or you can stay motivated by joining one of the organised SFAM training groups in a participating pool.

For those who wish to set a target for themselves, you can book to complete the mile (or half mile) in an official Swim For A Mile event venue (bookings opening in mid-December 2022), where your swim will be timed and you will receive a Swim For A Mile goodie bag, including a nice shiny medal!

Those who register for an indoor challenge event will also receive access to coaching and technique clinics outside of the SFAM weekly training, these are coached by Olympic and International swimmers at designated centres and are an excellent way to prepare for the event day!

Each year Swim For a Mile partners up with a chosen charity, in 2023 we continued our support with the Children’s Health Foundation,  Swim Ireland committed to donating €5,000 and with the help of our milers, we have now reached over €15,000, with efforts still going throughout the Virtual Challenge, you can donate here!

Learn More →

Heated indoor and outdoor pools across Ireland will host the Swim For A Mile timed events in 20234. The times of the events will vary at each pool and will be broken into time slots. You will be asked to select an event venue and time slot upon registration.

The Swim For A Mile Challenge is open to those aged 12 and over only.

No, quite the opposite. The event is for anyone who can swim at least 2 lengths of a 25m swimming pool during a session. However, the event is not intended for beginners who require lessons.