Arctic Tern Challenge 2026

We will raise funds to get local asylum seekers and refugees swimming and make them know they are welcome in our city while we motivate each other to keep on getting in the cold water for our own sakes – win win! 

How it works:

Enter the Challenge by choosing your Challenge level

Swim the swims relevant to your chosen level in your own time but make sure that you complete all the required swims and distances each month.

Record your swims anyhow you like – we trust you not to cheat of course.

If you post smiling swim pics of you completing your swims please tag @seabirds_swim and please feel free to get your swim friends signed up too!

We can’t control the temperature of the sea so this may be significantly more challenging if we have a cold spell. If you are away you are welcome to record a river, lake, lido swim or even diy ice bath.

Mainly: It is just for fun and we are not checking on you and nobody is judging. Please be safe and know your limits!!!!!

Arctic Tern Levels: 

Penguin – Get in once a month wearing anything you like – even paddling counts just get wet!

Puffin – Get in at least 4 times a month wearing anything you like – head to toe neoprene still counts.

Northern Gannet – Get in once a month wearing a cossie, gloves, boots and a hat.

Snow Bunting – Get in 4 times a month wearing cossie, gloves, boots and a hat.

Arctic Tern – Swim with only a cossie and hat 4 times each month.

Badge and certificate on completion. Challenge starts 1st November 2025 and finishes on March 31st 2026. Discounted shipping is included for badge delivery so maybe do some swimmy Christmas shopping before you check out after signing up?