Admin January 30, 2010, 9:05 pm h.
A nice view of Bled Lido & Lake
It was a fantastic event, certainly heavily influenced by the Finnish with this ritual dipping followed by a swift visit to the sauna.
25m is a very short distance meaning some people swim several times in a day. Its very similar to sauna really but with swimming.
Razzamattaz was the word to describe the opening ceremony, which was colourful, noisy and full of characters from all over the world.
Mariia Yrjo-Koskinen president of the winter swimming association gave a great speech and then she had a quick dip in the lake with the mayor of bled which was a great touch, clearly the locals were pleased to be hosting this event.
The Slovakian polar bears sung a song about winter swimming and generally there was a fantastic atmosphere as the symbolic moomin mascot swum 25m in the care of the young Fin Sakari.
Friday was all fun as you will see when I release the video footage.
But at 18.00 on Friday things got serious as there was a technical meeting for all those winter swimmers taking part in the endurance race.
Put the mouse on REPORTS & then REPORTS JAN 2010 at the top right of the page for the full report or click below http://extremewinterswimming.com/90
Admin January 28, 2010, 11:12 am h.
The video cannot be shown at the moment. Please try again later.
As reported last month a historic swim was made from the Czech Republic to Austria through the River Dye.
It was a celebration to mark 2 years since the Schengen agreement and also as a nod to the fall of the old system 20 years ago in 1989. Following on from this the swim had special significance as a mark of respect to those daring individuals who risked their lives to escape to the West through this river.
The video was made by video4net http://extremewinterswimming.com/Hr
So, I can only sum it up by saying,
” Yes we had to deal with a water temperature of 1c and an air temperature of -8c but at least we didn’t have to contend with border guards armed with guns, ready to shoot. “
Admin January 19, 2010, 5:09 pm h.
I do
Yes, unbelievably Tomas Prokop married the girl of his dreams Tat’ana Guzioti in an incredible civil ceremony that started on the banks of the River Metuje and finished in the river itself. The finale being a short swim to the competition start buoy and back, the newlyweds swum head up breaststroke and were accompanied by two young bridesmaids.
Genuine winter conditions AIR -2c
WATER +1.8c
This took place before a winter swimming competition in Nachod in the Czech Republic close to the border with Poland. The bride looked stunning, in a white bikini and white boots, her head attired with the traditional veil. She is also expecting the couple’s first child in the spring and her bump was clearly visible, adding some extra magic to the already extraordinary prceedings. The groom simply sported blue swimming shorts with a flower inserted in the waistband.
They did walk down the aisle, which was a route fashioned from a house near the river to the river bank, some 20 metres, the crowd of around 200 including 62 winter swimmers formed a natural route for the weddding party to walk down. 2 TV channels, a documentary film maker, the official wedding photographers and countless others captured this unique event which lastedsome 20 minutes from start to finish.
On exiting the water Tomas & Tania were treated to some fine champagne, much congratulations and then finally it was back inside to warmth and on to a private reception at a nearby hotel.
The wedding, overshadowed ( and rightly so) a fantastic yet gruelling and tough winter swimming contest that even saw a channel swimmer in some trouble. Follow this link for a report on one of the toughest competitions so far this season. http://extremewinterswimming.com/87q
Admin January 13, 2010, 9:36 am h.
Quite simply - a wonderful winter scene.
The great river Labe combining with the great mother nature to produce a fantastic winter swimming spectacle in Pardubice, Czech Republic. About half a metre of snow had fallen in the 24hours prior to the event and the swimmmers were watched as usual by many spectators but this time walking along the bank was not the only option to follow the action as there were dozens of cross country skiers taking advantage of the perfect conditions for winter sports.
A fantastic turnout given the difficulties faced in travelling toPardubice and although there was a 750m course it was without timing and thus without points towards the Cesky Pohar. All the same a fantastic cold water swimming event and the participants were well looked after. Follow this link for a photo gallery and a full report on the action http://extremewinterswimming.com/R8
Admin January 8, 2010, 10:21 am h.
Captured - the act of the Krest
What a fantastic scene on the banks of the Vltava as around 40 members of 1.PKO gathered as always on the first Sunday in January for the traditional christening of winter swimmers. (Krest Otuzilci)
Swimming in cold water is special and this event is more a social meeting and ritual bath than a training session President Tomas Prokop utters the words ” Zlom vaz” ( break a leg !) to which the standard reply is “ Vem tě čert” ( devil may take you).
A wonderful event click here to see more photos and read the full report http://extremewinterswimming.com/Fy
Or alternatively put the mouse on how to use this site (top right of page)and then reports and find the page there.
