SLICE

all about slice

SLICE (Shaftesbury Lido Ice Championship Extravaganza) is our very own cold water swimming competition designed to celebrate the thrill of cold water swimming, bring together our growing community, and raise essential funds for the Lido. While not a licensed meet, if the temperature drops to 5°C or below, SLICE becomes an Ice Swimming Championship. Whatever the weather, the event goes ahead with all the fun, challenge and community spirit we’re known for.

The programme includes:

• A fast-and-furious one-length dash—complete with bobble hats
• Two-,  four-, and eight length races in a variety of strokes
• Hardy 16-length endurance challenges
• Exciting relay races, including one with a playful twist

Whether you’re a seasoned cold-water swimmer or simply love winter adventures, SLICE offers something for everyone.

Why we created SLICE

SLICE was born from our desire to support and protect the future of Shaftesbury Lido, raising funds for vital renovations and the extras that help keep this cherished community space open for all. We also realised Dorset had no dedicated Cold Water Swimming events, and wanted to change that, placing the only lido in Dorset firmly on the map for the national cold water and ice swimming community.

By launching SLICE, we’re extending the region’s sporting winter calendar and bringing something truly unique to Shaftesbury and the county of Dorset.

What SLICE means to us

To us, SLICE is more than a cold water swimming competition. It’s a celebration of everything that makes this community special: inclusivity, resilience, encouragement, and the shared joy of plunging into chilly water together. Cold water swimmers are some of the kindest, most supportive people you’ll meet—and yes, we do love a bit of bling. A medal never hurts!

What SLICE means to the wider community

SLICE brings energy, visitors and community spirit into Shaftesbury. Local businesses benefit from the influx of swimmers, supporters, and spectators, while volunteers travel from across Dorset, and as far as the North of England, to be part of the action. The event boosts winter tourism and strengthens connections across the region.

What SLICE means for the Lido

Most importantly, SLICE provides vital publicity, fundraising, and long-term support for Shaftesbury Lido. The event helps ensure this unique, historic, and much-loved community asset continues to thrive. Every swimmer, volunteer, sponsor and supporter helps keep the Lido open, cared for, and enjoyed by generations to come.

Rules and info

Race Entry

SLICE 2026 will include both individual races and relays.

You can enter as many races as you like. Please remember the water will be cold, possibly under 5ºC, and you must allow time for rewarming between races.

Competitors must be acclimatised to cold water before the event.

Entry is via our booking platform www.bookwhen.com/shaftesburylido. Please scroll down on the booking page to the event date. Entries open at 1800 on 9^th December 2025.

Competitors must be at least 18 years old on the day of the event.

Entries close at midnight on 12^th January 2026.

This is not a licensed meet and is all in the name of fun.

Registration

There is a ‘SLICE registration fee’ of £10 for all competitors, payable when you book your race(s). This can be selected at the top of the event bookings list on the booking page.

All competitors must fill out an online registration form by midnight on 23^rd January 2026. The link for this can be found here: https://forms.office.com/e/9FC8MUYuRu or under ‘INFORMATION’ when you select your ‘SLICE registration fee’.

All competitors must register in person at Shaftesbury Lido on 25th January 2026, when you will be given your race pack and hat.

Competitors can register for all races between 8am and 8.45am.

Competitors only taking part in afternoon races can register from 1230-1300.

Competitors will not be able to register and take part if they have not filled out the online registration form prior to the event, and no refund will be given.

Please allow plenty of time to arrive and register, failure to register on time will result in disqualification, and no refund will be given.

At registration you will be given a card with your race details, including time of your race and when to arrive poolside at the assembly point. Late arrivals will be disqualified, and no refund will be given.

Any merchandise that has been pre-ordered will be available to collect at registration. Please note there will be limited merchandise available on the day so to avoid disappointment, please pre-order. Information on how to order your SLCE merchandise is on the online registration form.

Relay teams – the team captain’s name and details are required for entry and must be on the online registration form. Other team members’ details must also be included on the Captains online registration form. Team member details must be submitted by midnight on 23^rd January 2026. Any changes to team members must be made no later than 12^th January 2026 by emailing them to slice.dorset@gmail.com

Transfers and Refunds

Once you have entered and paid for a race, it is not possible to transfer your entry to another person, and you can only receive a refund if you cancel an entry before midnight on 12^th January 2026. This must be done by email to slice.dorset@gmail.com

If your chosen race is sold out, please email slice.dorset@gmail.com with your name, gender, and the event that you wish to enter. We will place you on the waiting list for any spaces that may become available.

Your Race

Swimwear and Equipment

Competitors must wear a swim hat. Bobble hats may be worn over the top of the swim hat for the bobble hat dash and the fun relay only.

Competitors must wear a safety belt while swimming (such as the belt from a tow float). Please try and bring your own, however we may have a few available on the day to borrow.

All competitors must wear a non-transparent, one or two-piece swimsuit, which goes no further than the shoulder or top of the knee (i.e. no legs or sleeves). Women may not swim topless.

Swimsuits must not give the swimmer any thermal protection or buoyancy. Thermal socks, thermal gloves or wetsuits are not permitted, with the exception of the bobble hat dash and the fun relay, when gloves and/or socks may be worn.

Competitors may not use any device or material that is designed to improve performance, such as hand-paddles, snorkels, fins or floatation aids, with the exception of the fun relay, and only then what is provided by the event organisers.

Race information

All competitors will be swimming at their own risk.

Competitors taking part in the 16 length race must bring a ‘second’ who will watch them compete and stay with them after to help them with recovery if needed. This should be someone who knows you and has seen you swim in cold water before. We will endeavour to find you a second if you are unable to provide one yourself.

No-one may swim under the influence of alcohol or drugs, including performance enhancing drugs or internal or external substances that preserve or increase body heat.

All races will start and finish at the shallow end, with the exception of the bobble hat dash, which will start at the deep end and finish at the shallow end.

Competitors will start in the water, with shoulders in the water and one hand on the wall.

No diving allowed at any time.

Competitors must not swim for more than 5 meters underwater from the wall, either at the start or after a turn, i.e. you must resurface before travelling 5 meters.

No tumble turns allowed at any time.

Competitors must swim the stroke of the race entered. Freestyle can be any stroke.

Competitors must touch the walls to turn and to finish.

Breaststroke and Fly – turns and finishes must be by using 2 hands to touch the wall.

Relay change-overs – the outgoing swimmer must keep one hand on the wall until the incoming swimmer has touched the wall.

False starts will not be recalled but will incur a 5 second penalty, and if deemed blatant, will result in disqualification.

Competitors must exit using the steps at the shallow end.

Races will be heat declared winners, no finals.

Race times are subject to change, please check your race card at registration.

Any deviation from these rules may result in disqualification. Judges’ and/or organisers’ decisions are final.

Please email us at slice.dorset@gmail.com if you have any special requirements regarding swimwear for cultural or medical reasons.

Rewarming and Recovery

Hot tubs will be available for competitors only, for use between races.

Hot tub use is at the competitor’s own risk and should only be used when there are observers present. Observers may be part of the event team or a competitor’s ‘second’ and will be someone who can keep a close eye on the competitor while they are in the hot tub, and for a while after they get out, to make sure they have no ill effects.

Competitors who have taken part in the 16-length endurance race must have their ‘second’ present while they are in the hot tub and for a while after they get out, to make sure they have no ill effects.

Any problems with rewarming between races may result in that competitor being withdrawn from subsequent races, and no refund will be given. Organiser’s decision is final.

Leisure Swim

There will be a leisure swim during the afternoon registration from 1230-1300.

This will be open to anyone and pay on the day. Cash or card accepted.

It will be on a first come first served basis and limited to 20 in the pool at any time.

If you are hoping to swim during this time and either competing in the afternoon or acting as a ‘second’ to a competitor, please allow enough time to rewarm fully either before your race or when you are needed by your competitor.

Refreshments

Both cash and cards accepted.

Hot chocolate and yummy slices of homemade cake will be available (all proceeds from these will go directly back to the Lido for renovations and improvements).

There will also be a local hot food van on site serving a selection of hot and cold drinks, and food, including bacon, eggs, burgers and sausages, plus veggie burgers and sausages.

Please bring your own reusable mugs where possible to support Sustainable Shaftesbury.

Photography and Filming

By entering any race as part of SLICE 2026, you are agreeing to photography and filming throughout the event.

Photographs and recordings will be used for marketing and publicity on social media and the STC (Shaftesbury Town Council) website and may be used in the press or third-party media and publications.

Prize Giving

This will take place at the end of the day after the last race has been swum, hopefully from 1610-1630.

Medals will be awarded for 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd place for each event.

Raffle

There will be a raffle draw at the end of the day with Prizegiving, cash or card accepted.

Please bring something to add to the prize table.