UPDATED 25 December 2023 — EVENT CANCELLED
Nature is against us. This morning we learned that further rainfall, strong warm winds and thawing mean that Vrané nad Vltavou Reservoir must release much more water than before. It is not yet visible on the Flood Forecasting and Warning Service website, but the Vltava’s flow in Prague is expected to increase sharply. We may no longer be able to ensure the event’s safety.
The 77th Alfred Nikodem Memorial is therefore cancelled.
Thank you to everyone who helped organise and prepare the event. We are sorry; there was nothing more we could do.
We look forward to seeing you again next year…
— Tomáš Prokop, race director
UPDATED 24 December 2023
It has been clear for some time that the river would be high this year. In the end, the flow will exceed earlier forecasts. However, following daily consultations with the Vltava River Authority’s management — including options for reducing the water flow on the day through controllable tributaries — and with a now relatively accurate forecast of conditions, the most likely scenario for swimmers on 26 December is as follows:
All courses will be laid out in the sheltered water behind Slovanský Island. The circuit will form a very elongated triangle or quadrilateral. Beside the pontoon, the float of the four-metre finish gate will form one vertex, while the long side opposite will run parallel to Legion Bridge between two large buoys. Depending on the size of the sheltered area, these will be 31.25 to 50.00 metres apart.
The exact number of laps for each distance will be determined by the end of registration, according to the final circuit length.
For safety, fewer swimmers than originally planned will enter the river at a time, so the schedule will be adjusted. Those swimming the shorter 100- and 300-metre distances who do not want to wait until the timed 750-metre heats are over will be admitted gradually by the officials between 10:00 and 10:45.
The opening ceremony remains at 11:00. The 750-metre heats will follow at approximately 11:15, starting with the fastest swimmers regardless of sex.
After the 750-metre heats, the remaining 100- and 300-metre swimmers will complete their distances.
In the days before the event, the Vltava’s temperature at the venue has been between 5°C and 6°C.
Have a safe journey to Prague!
— Tomáš Prokop, race director
(This update is published following consultation with the chief referee.)
I. PKO Praha warmly invites you to the 77th Christmas swimming event in the Vltava — the Alfred Nikodem Memorial.
This oldest and best-known cold-water swimming event will take place on Tuesday 26 December 2023 at 11:00, beside Prague’s National Theatre. The event was named after the tradition’s founder, Alfred Nikodém, only after his death, which is why this is “only” its 77th edition. More significantly, this year marks an extraordinary 100 years since the first public cold-water swim in Prague’s Vltava. In 1923, Alfred Nikodém first swam publicly in the icy river with five companions. This year we provisionally expect around 400 swimmers.
Swimmers from the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, England, Belgium, Germany and Italy will take part. The course runs across the Vltava between Střelecký and Slovanský islands, with the start and finish beside Slovanský Island. Distances are 100, 300 and 750 metres.
The Vltava will welcome leading swimmers with international honours as well as recreational cold-water swimmers, who enjoy healthy exercise in winter water in the company of like-minded friends.
A week before the event, the water temperature is around 6°C. On the day this article was published, we measured exactly 6.66°C at the venue. The weather forecast also suggests that swimmers may not be able to earn winter-swimming performance grades at the National Theatre this year. These can only be achieved in water classified as “icy” — 4°C or colder.
Another important factor is that the Vltava’s flow during the event will most likely be much stronger than usual, as we also had the “good fortune” to experience last year. But last year’s event went ahead in full, so we are prepared! If possible, the Vltava River Authority will reduce the flow for the event. Even so, the current is likely to remain relatively strong. The longer distances, 750 and 300 metres, which usually cross the river, may therefore be moved entirely into sheltered water behind the island on shorter circuits.
The opening ceremony will include the launch of a book marking the centenary. Journalist and organising club member Jan David has written the beautiful “Mrzneme napříč Vltavou – 100 let zimního plavání od dob průkopníka Alfreda Nikodéma” (“Freezing Across the Vltava — 100 Years of Winter Swimming Since Pioneer Alfred Nikodém”). Participants will be able to buy it during the event. For the twelfth time, there will also be a team competition based on each club’s three highest-placed swimmers. Prague 1 Mayor Terezie Radoměřská will personally present the Prague 1 District Cup.
All awards will once again be presented in the splendid Small Hall of Žofín Palace. Every year, a considerable number of swimmers leave before the ceremony, perhaps unaware that it includes a generous raffle with many lovely prizes. There are usually enough prizes for most of those still in the hall to receive something. So plan your departure carefully…
Further details, particularly for swimmers, are available in the official event programme (in Czech).
Instructions for participants
- Registration — Žofín Palace: please do not remain inside longer than necessary.
- Changing rooms: we have not hired the basement (the Knights’ Hall) this year. Everyone will change in large heated tents beside Žofín Palace, labelled for men and women.
An additional mixed changing tent will be available at the tip of the island, closest to the start.
- Race numbers and timing: swimmers in the 750-metre event will have their numbers marked in another tent beside Žofín Palace. Each must also collect a timing chip and a cap bearing their number and wear both for the swim. Finish by touching the finish board.
The recreational 100- and 300-metre swims are non-competitive. Swimmers will not have numbers marked, do not collect caps or timing chips and will not be timed.
- Food: after providing packaged baguettes for hygiene reasons during the Covid period, last year we returned to the Memorial’s traditional sausages and bread. Vegetarians should request an alternative in advance by emailing ipko.praha@gmail.com by 23 December inclusive. Give your name at registration to collect your meat-free meal.
- Schedule: the 750-metre heats will start immediately after the opening ceremony, with several waves within each heat. The first wave is provisionally scheduled for 11:15.
This year’s event is again part of the Czech Sports Union’s “Sportuj s námi” (“Play sport with us”) programme.
The main event partner is Pražské Benátky. Further support comes from Bytostav, SUPTel, Etewa, Fiskars, Born To Swim, Elektroštika, Jůzek-elektro, Masi-co, the family jewellery company JK Jitka Kudláčková, the Prague Fire Rescue Service, Prague City Hall and Prague 1 District.
Main event partner
Partners
Cold-water swimmers’ baptism
Come along to the traditional cold-water swimmers’ baptism on Sunday 7 January 2024 at 15:00, in the side channel of the Vltava beside Camping Kotva in Prague-Braník (Nádraží Braník stop, trams 2, 3, 17 and 21).