Record numbers take to the water in epic wild swimming event

RECORD numbers of swimmers are due to take part in the country's longest running, longest distance, outdoor organised swim this weekend in Devon. The Dart 10K began nine years ago, founded by the Outdoor Swimming Society, and has grown from 200 swimmers to 1600 at this year's sold-out event. Participants are split into two ‘waves' of swimmers over two days, Saturday and Sunday, starting at historic Totnes and swimming to the finish line at Dittisham where there is a mini festival atmosphere on the green with friends and family celebrating swimmers' achievements. Up to 800 intrepid swimmers will take part each day and there is an Elite Racing Wave for those who want to race - last year's winning time was less than 2 hours. With the river being tidal, the challenge is a good event for those looking to break a personal best: if conditions are right it can make for a very fast swim. The Outdoor Swimming Society (OSS) is a not-for-profit organisation which works to change the view of swimming in this country and through it Devon has emerged as a wild swimmers' paradise: there are more wild swims plotted on the free, crowd-sourced swim map in Devon than any other county. Every year the OSS  organisers choose local charities to support. This year they include Level Water which aims to get more disabled children swimming; Frank Water which helps provide clean water in India and Nepal and Devon Air Ambulance.