Super Swimmer Story: Liam Bourke goes from pool swimmer to Dock2Dock® winner

From pool lanes to the London’s Royal Docks, NOWCA Ambassador Liam Bourke shares the story of his first Dock2Dock® – and how he turned his open water debut at the event into a winning one.

On Saturday 12th September, I took part in the London Dock2Dock for the very first time as a NOWCA ambassador, racing the 1.5km wetsuit event. It was an experience I had been really looking forward to, but being my first Dock2Dock, I didn’t completely know what to expect. I came away absolutely loving the event and, to make the day even more memorable, I came home as the winner of my category.

Why I chose the 1.5km

My background is in competitive pool swimming, where the 800m and 1500m freestyle have always been my favourite events. I love the endurance side of swimming, finding a rhythm, settling into your stroke and holding your pace when things start getting uncomfortable.

Open water swimming brings a completely different challenge, though. There are no lane ropes, no black line underneath you and no wall every 25 or 50 metres. You have to navigate, adapt to the conditions and find your own space and rhythm in the water.

Because this was my first Dock2Dock, I decided the 1.5km was the perfect place to start. It was a distance I knew I could race well, while still giving me the chance to experience everything that makes the event different from pool competition.

My thinking was very much to start with the shorter distance, learn what the event is all about and then build from there. Having now experienced it, I’m already thinking about those longer distances for next year!

Training at Swim Heron

Most of my preparation took place at my local NOWCA lake, Swim Heron in Surrey, which is an outstanding facility and has been a fantastic place to train.

We were also incredibly lucky with the weather this summer. There were so many beautiful days that getting down to the lake and putting the training in didn’t feel like a chore. Being able to train consistently in open water helped me become more comfortable outside the controlled environment of a swimming pool.

For anyone coming from a pool swimming background, I think that open water practice is really important. Fitness is obviously a big part of it, but being comfortable in the environment is just as valuable. You learn to sight, judge your direction, deal with other swimmers around you and maintain your rhythm without relying on a wall or a clock.

By the time Dock2Dock arrived, I felt physically prepared, but more importantly I felt comfortable and confident in the open water.

Event day

From the moment I arrived, I was impressed by how well organised everything was.

There were lots of different tents and clearly structured areas, and registration and check in as a NOWCA member couldn’t have been easier. There were plenty of staff around to answer questions and point people in the right direction, and I didn’t experience any unnecessary queues or waiting around.

That might sound like a small thing, but when you’re preparing for an event, particularly if it’s your first time, a smooth registration process makes a huge difference. It means you can relax, take in the atmosphere and focus on your swim rather than worrying about where you’re supposed to be.

The organisation continued out on the water. There was so much safety and supervision around the course, including kayaks, rescue boats and marshals. That gave the whole event a very safe and professional feel.

Once swimmers finished, there were people ready to welcome them back, hand out medals and food and make sure everyone was looked after. There were feeding stations for those taking on the longer challenges too. You could tell that a huge amount of thought and work had gone into making the experience run smoothly for swimmers across all of the different distances.

What makes Dock2Dock special

For me, one of the biggest things that stood out wasn’t actually the racing, it was the people.

There were so many swimmers there from different backgrounds and communities, all taking on their own personal challenge. For one person, completing 1.5km might be a massive achievement. Someone else might be pushing themselves all the way to 15km. Everyone has their own reason for being on that start line, and I think that’s what makes an event like Dock2Dock so special.

There was a real sense that everybody was in it together.

The energy around the venue lasted throughout the day. Every time somebody came towards the finish, people were cheering, clapping and whistling. It didn’t matter whether they were one of the fastest swimmers or somebody completing a personal challenge, the support was still there.

I loved that.

Swimming can sometimes feel like a very individual sport, particularly when you’re out in open water, but Dock2Dock somehow managed to create a real community atmosphere around it.

Swimming in the heart of London

The location makes the experience even more unique.

You’re swimming with the London skyline and buildings around you while planes from London City Airport are flying overhead. It’s such an unusual backdrop for an open water swimming event and definitely one of those moments where you look around and think, “This is pretty special.”

It was also a fantastic location for spectators. There were plenty of places to watch from around the course and from the bridge, so friends and family could follow the action and support the swimmers.

Despite having so many people taking part, once I was swimming I never felt like the course was overcrowded. There was plenty of space to find clear water, settle into my stroke and race.

We were fortunate with the conditions too. The water temperature felt perfect, which made the whole experience even more enjoyable.

A first Dock2Dock I’ll never forget

Personally, the most memorable moment was finishing my first ever Dock2Dock 1.5km wetsuit race and discovering that I’d won.

Coming from my competitive swimming background, I obviously still have that competitive side in me, so being able to race hard and come home with the winner’s plaque was a fantastic feeling.

But the result was really the bonus on top of the whole experience.

I went into the day wanting to experience Dock2Dock for the first time, represent NOWCA and enjoy racing in a completely different environment. To walk away having won my category made an already brilliant day even more special.

That plaque will always remind me of my first Dock2Dock.

My advice for anyone thinking about doing Dock2Dock

My biggest tip is simple, go for it.

Pick a challenge that excites you and scares you just enough.

Whether that’s 1.5km or 15km doesn’t really matter. The challenge is personal to you. Choose your distance, give yourself a goal and then make sure you put some consistent training behind it.

You might be surprised by what your body is capable of when you give yourself something meaningful to work towards.

When race day arrives, particularly if you’re relatively new to open water events, try not to get carried away at the start. With the excitement, adrenaline and other swimmers around you, it’s very easy to go off too quickly.

Stay relaxed. Control your breathing. Find some space and settle into a rhythm you know you can maintain.

For me, that’s one of the most important lessons from endurance swimming. You don’t need to fight the water. Relax, find your stroke and let yourself build into the swim.

And remember that Dock2Dock isn’t only about racing for a position. What I loved about the event was seeing people taking part for completely different reasons. Some were racing, others were challenging themselves simply to complete a distance they might once have thought was impossible.

There is space for both.

Would I recommend it?

Absolutely. 10 out of 10.

Great organisation, a brilliant location, fantastic support, excellent safety on the water and an atmosphere that welcomes everyone, whatever their level or chosen distance.

If you’re considering an open water challenge, I’d highly recommend putting Dock2Dock on your list. Don’t worry about what everybody else is doing. Pick the distance that challenges you, train for it and enjoy the experience.

I’m incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to take part as a NOWCA ambassador and represent the team at such a fantastic event.

And after telling myself that I’d start with the 1.5km and build from there, there’s really only one question left:

How much further am I going next year?

Thank you to Team NOWCA and everyone behind Dock2Dock for putting on such a brilliant event. My first Dock2Dock is one I won’t forget, and I’m already excited to come back for more.

About Dock2Dock®

Dock2Dock® is London’s iconic open water swimming event, offering swimmers the unique opportunity to take on an unforgettable challenge through the historic Royal Docks.

Established in 2016, Dock2Dock has grown into a much-loved fixture in the open water swimming calendar, welcoming swimmers from across the UK and beyond. With distances ranging from 1.5km to an EPIC 15km, the event caters for everyone – from those taking on their first open water event to experienced endurance swimmers looking for their next challenge.

Set against a spectacular urban backdrop of docks, city skyline, cranes and planes taking off from London City Airport, the Dock2Dock offers a swimming experience unlike any other.

About Liam Bourke

Liam is Head of Swimming at Bishopsgate School, a personal trainer and former competitive swimmer. He is also a Zoggs Kids Learn to Swim Expert, specialising in teaching children and young people to develop confidence, technique and a lifelong enjoyment of swimming.

Through his Swim With Liam platform, he has built a substantial social media following by sharing swimming advice, coaching expertise, learn-to-swim guidance, training tips and open water content.

Liam is passionate about making swimming accessible and enjoyable for all abilities, combining his professional coaching experience with an engaging and relatable online presence. His work spans both grassroots swim education and performance-focused coaching, giving him a unique perspective on participation and progression within the sport.