I. plavecký klub otužilců Praha warmly invites you to the 76th edition of the Christmas swimming event in the Vltava — the Alfred Nikodem Memorial.
This long-established and celebrated cold-water swimming event takes place on Monday 26 December 2022, Boxing Day, at 11:00 in the Vltava beside Prague’s National Theatre.
Swimmers from the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, England, Belgium, Austria, the USA, Iran, Hong Kong and Spain will take part. The course crosses the Vltava between Střelecký and Slovanský islands, with both start and finish on the bank of Slovanský Island. Distances are 100, 300 and 750 metres. For the first time in the event’s history, timing chips and a finish gantry will be used for the longest, competitive course.
The Vltava will welcome leading swimmers with international honours alongside recreational cold-water swimmers, who chiefly enjoy healthy activity in winter water with like-minded friends.
The water temperature was 3.2°C a week before the event. A day later — today, as this article is published — it is 4.8°C. Last year, a hard frost on the night before the event brought the official temperature down to a lovely 3.4°C. This year, however, a substantial Christmas thaw is expected to follow the severe pre-Christmas frosts. The forecast therefore suggests that swimmers are unlikely to earn their cold-water proficiency grades beside the National Theatre this time.
Those grades can only be earned in “ice water”, defined as water at or below 4°C. Another important factor is that the Vltava’s flow is very likely to be much stronger than usual. If possible, the river authority will reduce it for the event, but the current will probably remain strong enough for less experienced swimmers on the cross-river courses — 750 and 300 metres — to consider choosing a shorter distance.
For the eleventh time, the organisers are including a team competition based on the results of each participating club’s three best-placed swimmers. First Deputy Mayor David Bodeček will present the Prague 1 Cup in person.
All awards will again be presented in the ceremonial Small Hall of Žofín Palace. Czech Swimming Federation president Petr Ryška will attend, underlining the event’s sporting importance, and will swim the 100 metres for the fourth time. Each year, a considerable number of swimmers leave before the ceremony. Perhaps many simply do not know that it includes a generous raffle with plenty of lovely prizes. There are usually enough for most people still in the hall to take something home.
Further information, especially for swimmers, is available in the event programme (in Czech).
Instructions for participants
- Registration — Žofín Palace: please stay inside only as long as necessary.
- Changing facilities: we have not hired the basement Knights’ Hall this year. Everyone will therefore change in large heated tents beside Žofín Palace. The 6 × 12-metre tents will be marked, one for men and one for women.
A 3 × 6-metre mixed changing tent will also be available at the island’s tip, closest to the start. - Race numbers and timing: 750-metre swimmers will have their numbers marked in the second small tent (3 × 6 metres) beside Žofín Palace. Each must collect a timing chip and numbered cap there and wear both during the swim. Finish by touching the finish board.
The recreational 100- and 300-metre swims are non-competitive. Swimmers on these courses do not need marked numbers, caps or timing chips, and their swims will not be timed. - Food: after providing packaged baguettes for hygiene reasons during the pandemic, we are returning to the Memorial’s classic sausages and bread. Vegetarians should request a meat-free option in advance by emailing ipko.praha@gmail.com. If you do so by 23 December inclusive, your meal will be reserved; give your name at registration to collect it.
- Timetable: the 750-metre heats will start immediately after the opening assembly, with several waves within each heat. The first wave is provisionally scheduled for 11:15.
This year’s event again forms part of the Czech Union of Sport’s “Sportuj s námi” programme.
The event is also supported by Bytostav, SUPTel, Etewa, Fiskars, Born To Swim, Pražské Benátky, Maso Veleň, family jeweller JK Jitka Kudláčková, the Prague Fire Rescue Service, Prague City Hall and the Prague 1 district.
Cold-water swimmers’ baptism
Come along to our traditional cold-water swimmers’ baptism on Sunday 8 January 2023 at 15:00, in the Vltava channel beside the Kotva campsite in Prague-Braník (Nádraží Braník tram stop, routes 2, 3, 17 and 21).