Union Bridge to Berwick 9.5km Fund Raiser Tweed Swim

The fog had lifted for it to be safe enough to allow 45 swimmers to enter the water at Union Bridge. For what? I hear you cry, well for the annual Union Bridge to Berwick swim. A cascading 9.5km stretch along the River Tweed, under some of the most iconic bridges in the North of England. All made possible through Take to the Water and supported by Galashiels, Selkirk and Berwick Rotary Club and Borders Water Rescue Team.

Lynda has previously ‘swum’ 122k m of the River Tweed starting at Lyne Station and always favoured this last section of it, for its swooshes, swim ability and rapidly changing landscape. Always with the possibility of having to walk some sections, depending on the tide which always added a little flavour of the unknown and ensuring each swim is different.

Last year was the first official time the event had been put on, to not only highlight the opening of Union Bridge but also raise money for the Borders Water Rescue Team. After the hugely successful event last year, it’s now hoping to continue as an annual event. Showing off some of the stunning landscape and waters here in the borders.

It all starts with registration, nice and early at 6am this year to work with the tide. There was a light wind and no rain, although there were some clouds to hopefully insulate the water’s warm(ish) temperatures from the past few days. Excited and nervous chatter pursued while the swimmers sorted out their kit at the RNLI station before boarding the bus to drop swimmers at Union bridge to join the river and flow back to their stuff. Some were even swimming back to their campervans parked just aside from the finish, a thought craved by many after hearing!

There had been some concern over the state of the fog for the weekend and whether it would impact on the swim as the forecast was not looking bright.  it had been thick the day before and even some people driving on route to the swim. Although the driving conditions were a little tricky in places in the morning, those affected drove with care and everything aligned for a perfect start.

The bus drop off at the Honey Farm took us back to my school days and our adventure trips on the bus. After disembarking we had a short downhill walk to the bridge where we stopped for the obligatory team photo before meandering down to the riverbank. There on the grassy bank Borders Water Rescue Team (BWRT for short now) were ready in force looking very prepared in their dry suits before boarding their kayaks and rafts. There’s something about seeing a person in a dry suit before getting in for an outdoor swim, I’d like to say it almost takes a couple of degrees off the water temperature before entry. Joking aside they divided up the team to ensure each wave of swimmers had ample cover which, as always, was superbly organised and reassured swimmers they were in safe hands.

First wave of swimmers entered the river albeit a little later than planned and off they went into the flow of water, followed by waves 2 & 3. Which all set off within 10-minute intervals of each other to give the slower, social swimmers room and also a chance to bask in the beauty and experience rather than the daunting idea of a mass brawly start. The faster face in swimmers set off in the last wave setting their targets on the swimmers ahead of them.

Lynda has come back with reports that the river condition was different than the previous year. That she definitely felt the pull of the outgoing tide, but there was more swimming effort needed. Now this may sound a little odd to some, but to be clear when it comes to tide, flow and timings around a swim like this, it’s all meticulously planned to ensure you hit the right tide. The event wants to allow enough flow to create swoosh, but not too much that it becomes dangerous, against the height of the tide at the exit and allowing all swimmers the ability to get out safely at the finish. Which sounds like a mammoth task, so you’re dictated by the timings this sort of swim can take place. Last year there was some crawling and otter floating to miss some of the shallower points of the river, but this year it was swimmable pretty much the entire way.

Swimmers approached the A1 bridge, which if you’re a spectator is quite a sight from above. Seeing floating heads and tow floats as if they were passing waves of ducks. Definitely recommend it if you’re not one for swimming, or even going to support someone who’s swimming. Once they got to this point there’s a noticeable hint of saline in the water, telling them that they’re getting closer to the sea.

Along this whole stretch it’s famous for its salmon fishing, and if you believe the fisherman still some of the best in the world in this part of the river. Swimmers can notice the quaint fishing huts along the riverbank.

It’s quite an incredible sensory swim the tweed, as you’ve had the saline and then get a little warmth from where Whiteadder feeds into the Tweed. Anyone for thinking they may have just passed a swimmer at the wrong time at that point, you’re actually in the clear!

Once you get to this point and getting closer to the sea by the minute swimmers can feel that draw to the North Sea, the noticeable current increase and deeper water. This is where there’s a wonderful long stretch of the river, which feels like a conveyor belt at times, but it’s almost like a waning drumroll in preparation for a spectacular section.

As you turn the corner you see the iconic arches of the Royal Borders Rail Bridge. Built by Robert Stephenson between 1847 and 1850, and the first of its kind at the time, with links to London and Edinburgh. I mean without going full history buff at this point, it’s grade 1 listed and was opened by Queen Victoria….and these swimmers get to swim under it! It’s pretty awesome!

Our swimmers aimed for the centre where the swoosh is at its strongest but also the safest part to go through as the current guides them. Each time this is organised kayakers tend to negotiate the river and point to the part of the river which is the preferred route of entry. If you’re doing this in the future, always worth keeping an eye on the BWRT team on the kayaks and rafts around you.

Just as swimmers swooshed through, as if Lynda had planned it, a train passed over them as they swam. I wonder how envious the passengers were, or whether it was the stock response of “look at those mad people!”

The RNLI station at Berwick comes into view as they swim through the bridges accompanies by a party of 12 swans. Here they started aiming towards the bank to ensure they finished up at the station, but also just in case you overshot it some in water team members were at hand to prevent the infinite route into the North Sea.

A team of amazing volunteers from the Rotary Clubs were on hand to make sure all participants were safe in, dressed and getting warmed up with a hot drink, pot of porridge (donated by the local Asda) & banana muffins (courtesy of Lynda’s mom!). Honourable mention to Wendy who volunteered instead of swimming and we’re always glad of the extra pair of hands.

As some shivered, smiles and giggles broke out indicative of a great time that everyone had had and just like that it’s time to pack up and head home for a well-earned snooze.

Same time next year?