The Swim to the Edge is part of the Solva Edge Festival weekend when the idyllic harbour village, which lies in the middle of the Pembrokeshire coast national park has a celebration of sport, music and arts. The swim itself is one of the most scenic and challenging open water swims in the UK and with two distances available we have something for everyone :-
- The Green Monster 2.5 miles
Ideal for Ironman Training or a pure open water challenge
- The Black Run 0.8 miles
A great tester for those new to open water swimming and want to set themselves a real challenge
Accommodation / Festival
If you are travelling to the area for the swim why not stay the weekend and make the most of what the Edge Festival and all Solva has to offer. This includes a full programme on Saturday from 5 a side football, stalls (Food and crafts) plus the nights activities of the Beer Festival and Battle of the Bands. Man Up UK can recommend a range of accommodation options for all your needs.
Full details about the Edge Festival
The Green Monster
This is a proper swim challenge!!
A 2.5 Mile open water swim out of Solva harbour, around the Green Scar Rock and back, Which in our opinion and one that is shared by many of its competitors that this is one of the most challenging open water swimming events in the UK.
The event is ideal preparation for those who are preparing for Ironman Wales and be rest assured that if you can do this you’ll be alright on the big day!
Or similarly if you are a open water purist looking for the next challenge or an adventure seeker looking for something different well this is it, a fantastic open water experience in a spectacular setting that will give you a real sense of achievement.
The Challenge!
First up you will walk slowly down the slipway and make your way pasted the moored fishing boats to the start line (a deep water start) From here your view of the open water, St Brides Bay and the Green Scar will be obstructed by the high cliffs on either side of you, As the hooter sounds you will swim towards the ocean as you head out of Solva Harbour The first thing you will sight is Black Rock, which lies in the middle of the entrance to the harbour estuary. As you pass this on the left hand side you will have your first taste of what the sea conditions will be like as the swell around the rock can be “interesting”.
Once you pass the Rock and completely leave the comfort of the harbour you will have nigh on a straight mile swim heading out into St Brides Bay until you reach the Green Scar. This section will cause you some difficulties – in 2015 it was the swell, in 2016 it was the Jelly Fish.
Once you get to the Scar you have to circumnavigate your way around it, which is easier than it sounds. The Scar has numerous sea shelves and protruding rocks, all of which adds to the change in the currant flow and swell.
Once you round the Scar you have to head home, where you will obviously face the same issues as the outward journey. This time you can add fatigue and sighting to the issues you will have to overcome! We do our best to assist with the sighting and will always look to keep on improving on this but you will have to work hard. But rest assured our safety crew will be watching you and pointing you in the right direction should you loose your bearings!!
When you eventually get back into the harbour you can relax and enjoy the last 400metres.
Taking you around the Green Scar and achieving a challenge that you will not forget and that you will be proud of is our goal so why not join us!?!
Enter Swim to the Edge Green Monster £25 
Disclaimer
- No refunds can be given
- Transfers / deferrals can be made up to 1 week before the event.
- For all enquiries please email Manupukevents@gmail.com
Safety
Safety is our number one concern and is what takes up about 90% of our planning time for this event. Our ratio’s are well above the BTU recommendations both on the water and dry side. Your safety is of paramount importance and again we are always looking at the what if’s and ways of improving. As such the weather and sea conditions will have the final say on the event on race day. Therefore we reserve the right to change the course right up to start time if safety dictates.
In 2014 we had to shorten the event by 0.5 miles with the race going around the adjacent Mares Rock, No one complained about this and it was still a very tough and worthwhile challenge in testing conditions. What ever action we are forced to take we will endeavour to ensure we have a worthwhile swim and challenge for each competitor.
Refunds / Deferrals / Transfers Policy
Due to the small margins we operate against for each event and the growing running costs we no longer offer refunds on events once they are booked. We will however let you defer your entry to the next race or another event and/or will allow you to transfer your entry up until the day before the event – Apologies for any inconvenience this may cause
The Black Run
The Black run is a 0.8 mile Swim from Solva Quay to the mouth of the Harbour, around the Black Rock and back. This may sound simple enough with a modest distance and it is definitely achievable for all with a bit of training but those who have completed this event will vouch that although the majority of the swim is in the comfort of the harbour, the sea conditions can create an interesting swell as you round Black Rock and therefore it may not be all plain sailing so to speak as the 100m section around the rock can be lumpy with the swell and waves taking you up and down and pulling you towards the mini Island. All you need s a bit of composure and the sense not to get too close to the rocks. However you can also take comfort from the knowledge that our safety crew will be surrounding the rock ensuring you stay on the best and safest course.
This swim is open to 14 year olds and above (with parent/guardian signed consent).
To clarify it is important to reiterate that rounding Black Rock can be a challenge in itself, but our safety crews will be there to make sure you are safe!
Enter Swim to the Edge Black Run £25
Disclaimer
- No refunds can be given
- Transfers / deferrals can be made up to 1 week before the event.
- For all enquiries please email Manupukevents@gmail.com
Safety
Safety is our number one concern and is what takes up about 90% of our planning time for this event. Our ratio’s are well above the BTU recommendations both on the water and dry side. Your safety is of paramount importance and again we are always looking at the what if’s and ways of improving. As such the weather and sea conditions will have the final say on the event on race day. Therefore we reserve the right to change the course right up to start time if safety dictates.
Refunds / Deferrals / Transfers Policy
Due to the small margins we operate against for each event and the growing running costs we no longer offer refunds on events once they are booked. We will however let you defer your entry to the next race or another event and/or will allow you to transfer your entry up until the day before the event – Apologies for any inconvenience this may cause.
Enter Swim to the Edge Green Monster NOW ! ONLY £25
Enter Swim to the Edge Black Run NOW ! ONLY £25
Disclaimer
- No refunds can be given
- Transfers / deferrals can be made up to 1 week before the event.
- For all enquiries please email info@man-upuk.com
Tour Reviews
I’ve completed a few Man Up events, all have been highly organised and the swim to the edge doesn’t disappoint. It’s a stunning event set in the picturesque village of Solva. You get chance to acclimatise to the crystal clear blue water as you swim through the harbour towards the start line. Your then heading out past black scar rock and onto Green scar for the 2.5 mile out and back. On the return leg is when your glad you payed attention to the race briefing as it covers sighting the harbour for the finish line, however there are plenty of safety craft out with you to point you in the right direction. This is a truly stunning event that will now be a yearly tradition. In fact the wife and daughter are both signed up for 2017. Highly recommended.
Awesome event. I used this as preparation for Ironman Wales and being a beginner at the open water swimming game found this to be a great challenge with the comfort of knowing there is help (if needed) close at hand.
We stayed on for the Edge festival. Cracking fun weekend that everybody should try.
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