European Championships 2018

You will be able to watch live as some of the best aquatics stars on the continent take to the loch’s iconic waters to compete in 5k, 10k and 25k events as well as the 5k team event.

These events are FREE to watch and you do not need to book tickets.

Catch all the action from Loch Lomond Shores where there will be spectator seating, live video screens and commentary for each of the races. You will also be able to witness the champions being awarded their medals in the medal ceremonies for each race.

For more details of the Open Water Swimming Competition schedule here.

As well as attracting visitors from home and abroad to enjoy the event in person, the Championships will be broadcast live to a potential TV audience of up to 1 billion.

The European Open Water Swimming Championships is a one-off event for Loch Lomond, with the competition taking place in different countries each year.

A free family friendly event, Festival 2018: Balloch Loch Lomond is taking place in Balloch on Saturday 11th August as part of Festival 2018 – the cultural programme for the Glasgow 2018 European Championships.

The festival programme brings together a fantastic range of local artists, community groups and international performers who will entertain local residents and visitors in a world-class setting.

For more details click here.

Traffic and Travel

The best and most convenient way to get to the venue is by train with direct trains from Glasgow Queen Street to Balloch every half an hour. It is then only a short walk to the Championships venue at Loch Lomond Shores.

There is also a regular bus service between Glasgow and Balloch.

There will be no dedicated event parking available at Loch Lomond so we would encourage people to use public transport wherever possible.

Alternative arrangements for loch users

In order to hold this world class event, the organisers need to put in place a significant amount of infrastructure that will result in some disruption affecting access to the Duncan Mills Memorial Slipway and the beach area at Loch Lomond Shores.

• Monday 23rd July – Tuesday 7th August. The trailer car park will be unavailable and at times only one of the two slipways will be available. Alternative parking will be provided at the overflow car park for Loch Lomond Shores. A shuttle service will be available to transport loch users back to the slipway after parking their car and trailer.  Similarly on retrieving craft at the slipway, a shuttle service will take loch users back to the overflow car park to collect their car and trailer. Whilst the shuttle service is in place we do expect delays to launching craft at peak times.

• Wednesday 8th – Sunday 12th August. The slipway will be closed and no launching will be available on the Championship race days. Vehicles will not be able to access the site.  Slipway staff can be contacted on 01389 722030 for advice on suitable alternative launch sites.

• Monday 13th – Sunday 19th August. The shuttle service to the overflow car park is re-introduced whilst event organisers dismantle the event infrastructure in the trailer car park. Loch users should also be aware that the slipway will also be closed, with not launching taking place, between Thursday 23rd August and Saturday 25th August, due to the Great Scottish Swim.