Bournemouth Pier to Pier Swim 2026

As a charity, we regularly review our events portfolio to ensure we are using our resources in the most effective way to maximise our impact for people affected by cardiovascular disease.

Following this review, we have decided this year will be the last Bournemouth Pier to Pier Swim, as we look to diversify our events portfolio and turn our attention towards developing new event offerings that will help us reach and inspire even more supporters.

The event is highly dependent on weather, and participant safety is always our top priority.

We work closely with our water safety and medical teams to ensure the event meets the highest safety standards. We will do everything possible to ensure the swim goes ahead and have several contingency plans in place.

In the event of the cancellation of our 2026 event, in light of the event not planned in 2027, you are entitled to a full refund if requested within the stated timeframe.

If your donors would like a refund on their fundraising contributions, they are entitled to this too, they’ll just need to contact JustGiving or our Customer Services Team.

Unfortunately, we’re unable to offer an alternative date, and there are several important reasons for this.

Our event timing is determined by the tides and moon cycle. For safety, our Water Safety Team must select a day with neap tides, which significantly limits the dates available.

There are also costs involved in reserving the beach with the local council and securing all event-day services. This includes costs for infrastructure, baggage transport, vendors, and staff - for both a primary and back up date.

In addition, Bournemouth beach is extremely busy during the summer. This makes it difficult to guarantee availability of space, as well as to book essential staff. This includes lifeguards and our Water Safety Team, who are often committed to other water events throughout the summer.

As a charity, we must be mindful of our resources, and unfortunately, we cannot justify the significant additional costs of organising a back up event.

You will soon receive an email from our Events team with your options. If you don’t receive this email, please contact our Customer Care Team.

British Heart Foundation cannot enforce payment from sponsors.

If you’ve been promised a donation and it hasn’t come through, we’d encourage a polite follow up with the sponsor with a link to your fundraising page, but avoid any harassment as donations are voluntary.

You are not personally liable for unpaid donations promised by a sponsor.

If you signed up to the 2025 event, your fundraising was automatically transferred to 2026. If you hit your £300 target before July 2025, you won’t receive an additional microfibre towel. However, if you choose to continue fundraising and hit £500 this year, you will be eligible for a water bottle.