Welcome to the Bluetit Event page!
Fancy joining us for a fun day out? Here you’ll find the details for the next Arctic Flappers Nippy Dippers event at:
❄️ Spring Valley Lakes, Rheola Farm Glyneath Lakes, Neath SA11 4DY❄️
❄️Saturday 11th and Sunday 12 September 2026❄️
An Arctic Flappers Nippy Dippers event will encourage you to challenge your limits in a supportive, fun environment, and leave you feeling like you can take on the world. It's all about connecting with fellow Bluetits and supporting one another to achieve something incredible in cold water.
Spring Valley Lakes
Join us for our first event at this venue, for the opportunity to swim in the beautiful spring-fed lakes of the Neath area! In a slight change from our usual schedule, due to the fantastic site and ample camping, we’re making this a multiple day event, a Bluetit Jamboree!
The plan is:
Friday 11th September 2026 - A true Bluetit-style gathering for all those who are staying that night (camping booked in advance directly through Spring Valley Lakes), plus anyone in the area who’d like to join in! Think food, music, laughter, and fun, jointly organised by all!
Saturday 12th September 2026 - Following our more usual event schedule, we’ll have a day of swims followed by our always anticipated Bluetit raffle!
Sunday 13th September 2026 - A new event - Flock Around The Clock! An up to 4 hours Challenge swim to finish off the weekend!
What Swims can I take part in?
These are the distances and team events we’re offering:
Saturday
- 50m Swim (Buddy or Solo)
- 200m Swim
- 500m Swim
- 1km Swim
- 1.5km Swim
- Titty Toppers Relay Race
- Celebration Splash
Sunday
- Flock Around The Clock - 4 Hour Challenge Swim
More details about the swims
The return of the 50m buddy event!
Due to popular demand, we’re running our 50m Buddy Swim again! 2 entries for the price of 1, this is a great way to encourage your perhaps less experienced friends and family to join in with a Bluetit event, in a safe, fun, environment!
200m and 500m swims
These distances are perfect for those who are capable of swimming a bit further, or wish to challenge themselves to a slightly longer swim than they’d usually do!
1km and 1.5km swims
For the more experienced swimmers, these longer distances are a great way to really challenge yourself!
*Please check the booking details to see before purchasing, to see if you’re suited for these distances, as you’ll need to sign a declaration on the day (see T's and C's). For the 1.5km swim you’ll also need to complete a qualifying swim, and bring a signed and witnessed Qualifier Form on the day.*
Titty Toppers Relay Race
For those who like a good team event, you can enter a team into the Titty Toppers Relay Race. In this, teams of 4 will be swimming 100m each (50m out and 50m back), where instead of passing a baton to your teammate, you'll all complete the relay wearing the same hat of your choosing! This event is for the fun-loving groups out there, where we encourage colour, flamboyancy, and even face paint if you like!
*For those considering taking part in The Titty Toppers event, please make sure your hat is buoyant (wouldn’t want it sinking if it comes off your head!), doesn’t have any glitter or anything that will contaminate the lake, so is as environmentally friendly as possible. Other than that, we look forward to seeing what you bring!*
Celebration Splash!
In this end-of-the-day dipping opportunity, you’ll get the chance to take a dip in the lake and join in with the Bluetit fun!
Due to the low price, you won’t receive a Bluetit tote bag, patch or badge for this dip that you get with the other distances. But this is perfect if you’d just like the opportunity to get in the water at the end of the day without the price tag, or if you’ve already signed up for another distance and will get your bag, patch, and badge that way!
Flock Around The Clock - 4 Hour Challenge
As a new event for us, on the Sunday we’ll be running an up to 4 Hour Challenge event. Either as a soloist, or in teams of up to 10, you’ll have 4 hours to swim as far as you can.
You'll need to arrange for someone to track your distance, and we strongly recommend having someone on-shore to help those coming out the water.
If you're taking part as a team, we'll leave it up to you on how to organise your time in the water, but it is intended to be a relay!
No prizes for this one, just a fantastic opportunity to challenge yourselves!
But in line with the overall reasons for our events, all non-team events are non-competitive, and getting in the water, challenging yourself, and supporting one another is what counts!
How the Saturday at Spring Valley Lakes will look
When you arrive at the site, all who are swimming will head towards our registration desk, at least 45 minutes before your estimated start time, depending on your chosen distance.
If you have free time between registering and your event, you can soak in the atmosphere. We also hope for lots of cheering for the swimmers as they’re taking part in their events!
Once your swim is over and you’re all dressed and warm, you can re-join the spectators, before the always highly-anticipated raffle draw takes place at the end of the day.
Provisional Schedule
Saturday
Please find below a rough schedule for the Saturday, though it may be liable to change. We’ll release a confirmed schedule and plan for the day to all ticket holders a couple of days before the event, but we do recommend making sure you’re available for the duration the event is open, in case we have to make any last-minute changes to the order of the swims.
10:00 - Event opens, and registration opens. Please ensure you've registered no later than 45 minutes prior to your estimated start time (released closer to the day).
11:00 - 15:00 - The swim events take place. The swims will likely take place in the order mentioned above.
15:30(ish) - After the swims have finished the raffle draw will happen. This day’s event finishes once the raffle has taken place.
Sunday
Provisionally the 4 hour challenge will run between 10am to 2pm.
Accessibility
Please note, the entry into the water at this venue is via steps rather than a slipway. Please ensure you’re able to enter and exit the water this way unaided before purchasing a ticket.
Before you book…
For more information about the event, please have a read through our FAQ's below, as well as our Terms and Conditions, which will need to be agreed to when booking.
As this is a new venue we haven’t held an event at before, if you have any questions, please contact us so we can enquire with the venue and add it to our FAQs. We can be reached at toot_toot@thebluetits.co
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the event being held?
The event is held at Spring Valley Lakes, Rheola Farm Glyneath Lakes, Neath SA11 4DY, between 11th - 13th September 2026.
The swims will take place on 12th September and 13th September 2026.
Do I have to be a fast swimmer?
The 50m, 200m, 500m and 1km swims are not timed, so you don't have to be a fast swimmer and is more about the experience. We won’t be timing you, or announcing who came first.
But due to the cold water temperatures, we ask you to make sure you're able to swim your chosen distance in good time.
For the 1.5km, we have a cut off time of 1 hour for your safety, please see the Terms and Conditions for confirmation of this.
The Titty Toppers Relay Race is a timed team event.
What swims can I enter?
You can enter any of the events, as long as you’re capable of swimming that distance in the expected water temperature for September in a spring-fed lake.
Can I enter more than one swim?
Yes, but if you wish to take part in multiple events, we do ask that you make sure they're not back-to-back, to give yourself enough time to warm up in between.
Separate tickets will need to be bought for each event.
How much is entry?
Entry to the swims on the Saturday is between £25-£50 per entrant.
The Flock Around The Clock 4 Hour Challenge swim on Sunday is £100 per entry (either as a soloist or as a team).
The Celebration Splash is £5, but no Bluetit bag, patch or badge is included for this price.
How cold will the water be?
We won’t know until the day, however, our events usually take place in the off season as we are aiming for that cold water experience.
For this event, we anticipate the water temperature could be around 15 degrees Celsius.
Please only consider taking part in our longer distance swims if you’re comfortable swimming that distance in cold temperatures.
The organisers reserve the right to shorten the distance if the water is too cold according to their safety team.
Do I get a badge?
Yes, for all distance and team swims!
As well as a warm glow, a sense of achievement, and some fantastic memories, you’ll take away a Bluetit bag, an event patch, and distance badge!
How old do I have to be to enter?
Entrants must be 18 or over. Under 18s are welcome to come and spectate as long as they are accompanied by an adult at all times.
What time do I need to be there?
Registration opens at 10am, and you must register at least 45 minutes before your event's estimated start time.
*Please note this is for the Saturday only. Sunday times may differ, and we'll update the details closer to the time*
Can I bring someone with me?
Yes! Spectators have free entry, and the more the merrier to cheer the swimmers on! But please do car share wherever possible.
For the longer distances, we ask you to bring a warm up buddy along who can help you dress after exiting the water. This is required for the 1.5km swim, and for the Sunday swim.
What do I need to bring on the day?
You'll need to bring your normal safety kit such as a tow float and swim shoes.
We'd also recommend a bright hat or swim cap, as well as your usual things to keep you warm!
We'd also suggest bringing a flask with a hot drink to have available to help you warm up after your event.
Am I allowed to bring my dog along?
Yes, dogs are allowed on site.
Is parking available?
Parking is available on site, but as usual, we do suggest car-sharing.
What stalls will be there?
We hope to have a range of stall holders for you to browse and buy from throughout the day. We haven't confirmed who yet, but they'll see you there on the day!
Can I stay for the weekend?
Camping is available on site, and can be booked directly through the Spring Valley Lakes website.
