I. plavecký klub otužilců Praha warmly invites you to the 71st Alfred Nikodem Memorial, our Christmas swimming competition in the Vltava.
The oldest and best-known cold-water swimming event takes place on Tuesday 26 December 2017, St Stephen’s Day, at 11:00, in the Vltava beside Prague’s National Theatre.
Cold-water swimmers from the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Belgium, England, Argentina, Russia, the USA and Germany will take part. The course crosses the Vltava between Střelecký and Slovanský islands, starting and finishing beside Slovanský Island. The distances are 100, 300 and 750 metres.
The Vltava will welcome top swimmers with international honours alongside recreational swimmers who enjoy the healthy exercise and the company of similarly “afflicted” friends. Numbers grow every year. After last year’s 366, this year’s total may approach four hundred.
The water has stayed around 4°C for a week. Swimmers hope it will not warm up: water at or below this threshold allows them to earn the performance grades needed to progress to longer distances. Last year, nature warmed the Vltava at the last moment to 4.2°C. We shall see whether the traditional Christmas thaw arrives, Prague keeps its dusting of snow, or even more falls.
One surprise is certainly on its way — and we can reveal that our co-organiser, the Prague 1 district, has a hand in it!
This year’s main partner is Oborová zdravotní pojišťovna (OZP), the health insurer for employees in banking, insurance and construction.
“OZP stands by its clients in heat and frost alike. We care about how people look after their health, which is why we are partnering with the Memorial for the fourth time. OZP has been here for more than 20 years and wishes everyone who enjoys healthy exercise every success.”
The event is again part of the Czech Union of Sport’s “Sportuj s námi” programme.
The event is also supported by Mladá fronta a.s., Etewa s.r.o., SUPTel a.s., BYTOSTAV s.r.o., Fiskars, Agama Diving, Prague City Hall and our co-organiser, the Prague 1 district.
For the sixth time, the programme includes the Prague 1 Mayor’s Cup, awarded to the team formed by each club’s three best-placed swimmers. Prague 1 Mayor Oldřich Lomecký will present the cup in person.
All awards will again be presented in Žofín Palace’s ceremonial Small Hall. We can look forward to Jakub Kohák’s spontaneous presenting style, while Czech Swimming Federation president Petr Ryška will also attend, recognising the event’s sporting importance.
Further details, particularly for competitors, are in the event regulations below:
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Partners of the 71st Alfred Nikodem Memorial
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Cold-water swimmers’ baptism: You are also welcome to watch on Sunday 7 January 2018 at 15:30 the traditional swimmers’ baptism in the Vltava channel beside the Kotva campsite in Prague-Braník (Nádraží Braník stop, trams 3 and 17).