Fancy a swim on the wilder side, than join us for one of our cross country swimming adventures either along a quiet stretch of the River Wey or in St Patrick's Stream off The Thames . With Jude and Paul guiding the way, carrying the homemade cake and keeping you safe, you can lie back, relax and go with the flow. Swim and walk through beautiful open countryside, dip into the river and enjoy all the wonderful flora and fauna of the riverbank.

Let us introduce the Ruckraft!  Swim exploring in small groups has been transformed with the Ruckraft – it allows you to effortlessly tow all sorts of things behind you in a small inflatable dry bag. On our outings together, this could be food, drink or spare clothes, but it could be your bivi bag, sleeping bag or just a lavish picnic in future adventures.  We will lend everyone a Ruckraft to try for this swim. For more information on Ruck Rafts go to https://www.abovebelow.sc/ruckraft

The Surrey Explorer -  Swim walk, explore a quiet section of The River Wey, Surrey – 3 hours £50

‘Lose yourself in nature’ with this micro adventure that explores some beautiful, remote and historic meadows of the River Wey and its tributary streams near Ripley, Surrey. Remarkably it is only a stone’s throw from London and the M25, although once you are immersed deep in Papercourt Meadows (SSSI), surrounded by water courses on 3 sides you will feel like you have escaped to pastures much further afield!  It can be a fulfilling half-day journey or reduce the route and use to break up a long car journey or just a quick escape from South West London.

You will be walking past, perhaps, the prettiest Lock Keeper’s cottage on the River Wey Navigation, traversing a natural flood plain meadow that was once the ‘playground’ of Henry VIII while staying at Woking Palace and swimming down the original course of the River Wey in the shadow of Newark Priory.

This journey has been enjoyed by Courtney Smith and featured in Women'sHealth.  Read her account Woman's Health Article

Suitable for: confident swimmers 

LOCATION: SURRY, ENGLAND
TOTAL DISTANCE: 3.5 – 5 MILES
ABOVE DISTANCE (HIKE, RUN): 1.5 MILES 
BELOW DISTANCE (SWIM): 2 MILES 
A (START): CIRCULAR ROUTE; RIPLEY
B (FINISH): CIRCULAR ROUTE; RIPLEY
DURATION: HALF DAY TRIP
DIFFICULTY: GENTLE ROUTE & PACE – LOTS OF OPPORTUNITY TO REDUCE IF REQUIRED
HAZARDS: IN PLACES, SHALLOW & OTHER RIVER USERS

A wetsuit is recommended since the gently flowing water is shallow in places and the reeds and riverside fauna can scratch and tickle.  Footwear for walking and swimming in is essential. 

This a great morning out with like minded people enjoying the 'wilds' of Surrey. Bring a friend and make more along the way. 

What’s Included:

• Paul and Jude - both qualified open water coaches and lifeguards who will both enjoy sharing their love of swimming adventuring with others. Not only will they look after you, their expertise will allow you to switch off and enjoy everything going on around you
• Riverside stop for ‘elevenses’ with hot & cold drinks and homemade cookies or cake 
• Use of a Ruckraft for the journey
• We know you will be hooked, so we have a discount offer for you to get your own Ruckraft.
• Full, detailed joining instructions, kit and what to expect will be shared on email once booked.
• A dose of adventure 

The Hidden Thames -  Swim, walk, explore St Patrick's Stream, The Thames – 4 hours £70

Step away from the hustle and bustle of life and immerse yourself in a true micro adventure that explores some beautiful, remote and nature rich streams just South of the Thames in Berkshire. Remarkably it is only a stone’s throw from the typically busy and bustling Thames, this backwater is sure to be an adventure in the true sense of the word; it will be unusual, exciting and not without an element of uncertainty to it! Best completed as a fulfilling half-day journey.

Starting from a public access spot on the river we enjoy a brief swim across the river from the South to North bank before enjoying a quiet walk upstream. The Thames path here unusually winds through several stunning houses and gardens eventually arriving close to the spur off the river – St Patrick's Stream on the opposite bank.  The stream delivers intrigue, delight and surprises around every corner.  At times just a few feet deep, but always swimable, with a very small weir and often encroaching trees from the bank makes this a swim for the competent and adventurous.

Suitable for: more experienced open water swimmers

This Journey has been enjoyed by Liz Edwards and featured in The Sunday Times Travel Section.  Read Liz's account here

LOCATION: BERKSHIRE, ENGLAND
TOTAL DISTANCE: 7-8 KM
WALK/ HIKE: 3.5 KM 
SWIM: 4 KM
START/ FINISH: CIRCULAR ROUTE; WARGRAVE
DURATION: HALF DAY TRIP
DIFFICULTY: MODERATE – NOT FOR BEGINNERS

HAZARDS: IN PLACES, SHALLOW, POTENTIALLY OVERHANGING TREES AND ENCROACHING BRANCHES, A SMALL WEIR & PERHAPS PEOPLE FISHING. 

A wetsuit is recommended since the flowing water is shallow in places and the reeds and riverside fauna can scratch and tickle.  Footwear for walking and swimming in is essential. 

What’s Included:

• Paul and Jude - both qualified open water coaches and lifeguards who will both enjoy sharing their love of swimming adventuring with others. Not only will they look after you, their expertise will allow you to switch off and enjoy everything going on around you
• Riverside stop for ‘elevenses’ with hot & cold drinks and homemade cookies or cake 
• Use of a Ruckraft for the journey
• We know you will be hooked, so we have a discount offer for you to get your own Ruckraft.
• Full, detailed joining instructions, kit and what to expect will be shared on email once booked.
• A dose of adventure 

What's not included:

• Basic kit required - Full, detailed joining instructions, kit and what to expect will be shared on email once booked: 
• Wetsuit you are happy to crawl out of river banks wearing
• Shoes you can walk over rough ground in and you are happy to swim in

If you would like to find out more please get in touch with Jude - 07946 637584 or Paul - 07930 304312

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Wild adventures are dependent on weather conditions. If we feel conditions are not going to be enjoiyable or unsafe we will contact you and either provide a full refund or ideally transfer you to another date.

Please see our terms and condtions regarding refunds