THE WELSH public is being asked to get its bathers on to take part in sponsored swims or join a cold-water dip event in Cardiff to help unite Wales against cancer.
The call comes from Swim Wales and Cancer Research Wales who are joining forces to promote the ‘Dip or Distance: The Cancer Research Wales swimming challenge’ event.
Swim Wales is the national governing body for aquatics in Wales which includes swimming, water polo, para-swimming, diving, artistic swimming, open water and masters swimming.
Cancer Research Wales is the independent Welsh cancer research charity which is this year celebrating its 60th anniversary.
Dip or Distance is an all-new fundraising challenge for 2026 that gives participants the choice of swimming a long distance of their choice or braving a cold-water dip.
They can take part in the swimming challenge their local swimming pool or at an organised cold-water dip at Cardiff’s Lisvane and Llanishen Reservoirs on Saturday 28 March.
Fergus Feeney, Chief Executive Officer, Swim Wales said:
“We are delighted to partner with Cancer Research Wales in this new initiative. The ‘Dip or Distance challenge’ gives people across Wales a fun and flexible way to get involved with swimming and raise vital funds for a worthy cause. It is really exciting to see a challenge that can be tailored to each individual, whether that’s pushing yourself in the pool or trying something new with a supervised cold-water dip at the accredited Lisvane and Llanishen Reservoirs on 28 March 2026. Whatever participants choose, we encourage everyone to take part safely, within their abilities, and to enjoy being active in the water.”
“It’s a privilege to be partnering with Swim Wales to promote Dip or Distance to encourage swimmers of all ages and abilities across Wales and experienced or first-time cold-water dippers to get involved with this campaign” said Adam Fletcher, the Chief Executive of Cancer Research Wales.
“This year, we are quite literally ‘testing the waters’ with our first ever Dip or Distance which is also Cancer Research Wales’s first swimming challenge which we hope will prove popular with our existing and new supporters and grow to become a major part of the swimming calendar in Wales over the years.
“Please support Dip or Distance and help us fundraise so that we can bring better treatments and hope closer to home for cancer patients across Wales, their families and loved ones.”
