(no swimming) Pavel Trebichavsky tries to uphold the law with little success!
Almost 2 months of incredibly warm weather and the winter swimming season seems long gone even if some larger rivers are resiliantly holding temperatures of around 14c here in central Europe.
Back on Saturday the 9th of April we saw the finale of Czech winter swimming 2010/11, as usual at Nova Paka in the foothills of the Krkonose mountains. A former quarry lined with red clay was the exact location and even though it had been spring like for a few weeks there were the odd patches of snow clinging on in the surrounding forest. The wind was blowing quite strongly but even so for seasomed winter swimmers this was barely noticeable. However, the wind would prove more testing to the swimmers once in the water as small waves appeared.
The 750m made for a nice spectacle as it was twice round a 375 rectangular course. The first turn came after just 100m and in heat 1 of the 750m a pile up ensued as the tight turn was navigated.
Quite a hot contest with the 10c water attracting some long distance swimmers who stay in the 27c pool for most of the winter season.
Petr Svorcik battling in the 750m
Although the climax of the season, there actually wasn’t much drama as the winners had already been decide the previous week. The club Fides Brno taking the team prize for the 9th year running, although they might have a fight to make it 10 as an active transfer market has sprung up in an effort to break their stranglehold on the Cesky Pohar (Czech cup for winter swimming).
It is now June and although the summer long distance season is just starting, actually there will be more to come on the subject of winter swimming. So watch out for the next blog post which will contan so interesting news for lovers of cold water swimming, nature, travel and adventure.
Lenka Pacakova leading the way for the ladies
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