Byron Swim Festival, Turkey

The Hellespont is arguably the most iconic swim in the world. It is geographically, historically & culturally significant, whether it is swimming between continents or following in the tradition of Leander and Byron. To commemorate the celebrated English poet Lord Byron’s inaugural swim crossing of the Hellespont, you can join in the festivities and follow in his wake exactly 200 years to the day. The Byron Swim Festival will be held over the first UK Bank Holiday weekend in May and will feature seminars, films and discussions, with the actual swim taking place on the exact bicentennial date - 3rd May 2010

Based in the port town of Çanakkale, the town is sure to come alive with the festivities as one of the busiest shipping lanes is closed for your dash across the straight from Europe to Asia. SwimTrek has arranged with the local authorities to be the sole provider of race places for overseas competitors.

Day 1 Saturday 1st May We meet at our 3* hotel in Çanakkale in the late evening where you have a chance to relax before we meet for drinks with the other members of the trip.

Day 2 Sunday 2nd May In the morning there is an opportunity to swim at a private beach, a short walk out of Çanakkale’s bustling centre. Here you can get used to the conditions and take advice from our swim coaches on any last minute preparations. You will have some leisure time, giving you a chance to relax and enjoy Canakkale or explore the ancient city of Troy. We meet again in the late afternoon for the celebration to commemorate the Bicentenary of Byron’s swim and his passion for open water swimming, this unique festival will be held at the University of Çanakkale near the shores of the Hellespont. A cultural experience with poems, stories, seminars and films, depicting the importance of Byron and the influence this swim had on his poetic writing and the legacy it has left 200 years on.

Day 3 Monday 3rd May Everyone will gather in the morning for the compulsory race briefing before the world’s most concentrated shipping lane is closed to all traffic as we participate in Lord Byron’s Bicentennial Hellespont Swim. You can either race to win or swim at your own pace and enjoy the experience of swimming in the wake of Leander & Byron. The swim route is elliptical as we compensate for the left sided current. Following the swim there will be an awards ceremony and the SwimTrek post race dinner held to commemorate this unique Byron celebration.

Day 4 Tuesday 4th May A relaxing morning to recover from the previous days exertions, departing at your convenience. You will have the option of taking a tour to the Gallipoli Peninsular, where it is possible to swim off its beaches.