Aldeburgh Yacht Club to Orford Sailing Club

Participants are challenged to swim (or paddle board, kayak, row or canoe) a five-mile route along the beautiful Alde and Ore Estuary from Aldeburgh Yacht Club to Orford Sailing Club. There will be a selection of excellent refreshments to enjoy at Orford Sailing Club after the swim, and free transport back to Aldeburgh. We have previously held two flotillas that have been immensely enjoyable and challenging summer events, bringing together a community who are passionate about the outdoors!

Both elite and regular swimmers are invited to take part, though good health and familiarity with cold water swimming is encouraged for this lengthy route. There is a competitive aspect to the elite swimmers, who will be timed.

We have taken the health and safety of participants very seriously in planning this event. The route will be in the direction of the tide to assist swimmers and paddlers, and has been designed to avoid areas of high risk (such as mud flats and eddies). All participants will be given a towable float and numbered, high visibility swimming cap to wear. The RNLI, safety kayakers and safety boats with trained medical volunteers onboard will accompany participants along the route, ready to provide assistance. Please see registration documents on the ticketing site linked below for further information.

We are aiming to raise funds from this event for an excellent cause. The Alde and Ore River wall defences have not been improved since major flooding in 1953. Since then, sea levels have risen and the walls have compacted, leaving the surrounding areas vulnerable to flooding from a storm surge. All funds raised from the flotilla go towards upgrading the flood defences along The Alde and Ore River wall to protect local wildlife habitats, homes and business from flooding. We have already begun work on the Upper Estuary, and are now turning our attention to the Lower Estuary.