Swim Oxford Lock to Lock Swim 2026: river restriction notice
Published 11 June 2026
© Crown copyright 2026
This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.
Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.
This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/swim-oxford-lock-to-lock-swim-2026-river-restriction-notice/swim-oxford-lock-to-lock-swim-2026-river-restriction-notice
When
Sunday 14 June 2026, 7:30am to 12pm.
Where
Kings reach, Eynsham Lock to Kings Lock.
Details
At 7:30am on Sunday 14 June 2026 swimmers will leave Eynsham Lock and will swim 4 kilometres downstream to Kings Lock.
They will swim close to the right bank of the river as they head downstream and will leave a clear navigation channel for boat traffic along the centre of the river. The swimmers will be wearing hi-visibility swim caps and will be escorted by canoe guards.
All river users to keep a good look out for the swimmers, navigate slowly and with particular caution when in their vicinity and give them a wide berth.
Byelaws
Nothing contained in these directions shall supersede those parts of the Thames Navigation Licensing and General Byelaws 1993 and the UK Merchant Shipping (Distress Signals and Prevention of Collisions) Regulations 1996 as may be relevant. Particular attention should be paid to byelaws 24-42 of the Thames Navigation Licensing and General Byelaws 1993, Steering Sailing and Speed.
And Notice is hereby given, that it is provided by Byelaw 52 of the Thames Navigation Licensing and General Byelaws 1993 that:
The master of any vessel shall except in an emergency not pass any boat-race regatta public procession or gathering for the launch of a vessel or any other event or function which may cause a crowd to assemble on or by the river nor station his vessel thereon in such a manner as would risk obstructing impeding or interfering with such boat-race regatta procession launching event or function or endangering the safety of persons assembling on the river or preventing or interfering with the maintenance of order thereon.
The maximum penalty for breach of the Byelaws is £1,000.
Read our Thames Navigation Licensing and General Byelaws 1993.