It is expected that 3,000 swimmers will take part in the British Gas Great East Swim at Alton Water reservoir on Saturday 19 June 2010. The event is the first of five open water swims taking place across the country and Aqua Sphere is proud to be the official swim kit partner to the series.

The picture shows Mark Foster, one of Britain's most successful swimmers, with a group of East Swim participants. Foster attended the first Great North Swim in Lake Windermere in 2008. Since then the Great Swim series has almost tripled in size with 10,000 participants taking part last year and a predicted 20,000 in 2010.

A mile is the equivalent of 64 lengths in a standard 25m pool. For those who fancy the challenge entries are still open at www.greatswim.org.

British Gas Great Swim 2010 event dates: British Gas Great East Swim - Saturday 19 June

British Gas Great London Swim - Saturday 3 July British Gas Great Scottish Swim - Saturday 21 August

British Gas Great North Swim - Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 September