The first Sunday in January, 4 January 2015, brings our traditional cold-water swimmers’ baptism. As every year, the event is open to swimmers and the public. New members and visitors receive their first baptism, followed by longstanding members renewing theirs by tradition. A report from the previous year, including photos and a video report, is available here. Full event details follow. Read more…
After another year, cold-water swimmers gathered again on Slovanský Island for their oldest organised event, the Alfred Nikodem Memorial. Once again there was a participation record. The huge increase of the previous year was not repeated, but three extra swimmers were enough to bring the final total to 290. The special standing of what is by far the Czech Republic’s largest cold-water swimming event was confirmed by its inclusion in the Czech Union of Sport’s “Sportuj s námi” project, making Czech Railways the event’s main partner. Read more…
I. plavecký klub otužilců Praha warmly invites you to the 68th Alfred Nikodem Memorial, our Christmas swimming competition in the Vltava.
The oldest and best-known cold-water swimming event will take place on Friday 26 December 2014, St Stephen’s Day, at 11:00 in the Vltava beside Prague’s National Theatre. Read more…
Our pre-season “triathlon” took place on 21 September 2014. As usual, it combined a working party, a club trial and a campfire. This time it also featured a fascinating talk by Honza Novák to mark the 40th anniversary of his English Channel crossing. Our special guests that Sunday were the Košumberský family, descendants of Alfred Nikodem. Fourteen-year-old brothers Lukáš and Marek Košumberský even made their debut in the trial in the cold Vltava — clearly the family genes are strong!
Now the winter swimming season can begin! Read more…
Our club member Leszek Naziemiec is in England preparing for his English Channel attempt. His tide window — the period in which he can attempt the crossing — starts today and runs until 8 August. His coach and excellent swimmer Kajetan Załuski will accompany him during training in England and on the support boat. The attempt would not be possible without his sponsors: Polonia Logistyka and gluten-free food producer Balviten. We wish Leszek the best of luck.
On the day after the summer solstice, PKO held three events in one: a work party, a club trial and a campfire. We set ourselves ambitious goals for the work party: besides the usual end-of-season clean-up, we planned to paint the clubhouse, work in the garden and maintain the building. Even with a strong turnout, after doing some painting we were glad just to make the place reasonably tidy before the race. We tried hard to finish everything, but could not. So, if you were unable to come, there is still plenty to do! Even our oldest members helped: Ilonka, who turned eighty in January, was the first to arrive, at 14:00. Read more…
It is with great sadness that I write these lines to tell cold-water swimmers, long-distance swimmers and friends of both sports that our long-serving sports commentator and honorary member of I. plavecký klub otužilců Praha, Vladimír Kulíček, has left us forever. I had known him for more than forty years. For me, as for everyone who knew him, this was very sad news. Read more…
Updated with the TV Metropol report.
On Sunday 23 March, our members and guests celebrated the 150th anniversary of the birth of Alfred Nikodem, founder and pioneer of winter swimming and competitive cold-water swimming in Czechoslovakia. Czech Television filmed the event for its main news programme. Watch the report below. Read more…
Updated with a link to the TV Metropol interview.
On Sunday 23 March 2014, I. plavecký klub otužilců Praha is holding an event to remember Alfred Nikodem and his legacy in cold-water swimming. To mark 150 years since his birth on 25 March 1864, we will meet at his grave in Vyšehrad’s Slavín cemetery at noon on Sunday 23 March 2014, then walk down to the Vltava for a symbolic swim. Read more…
Updated with the ČT Sport report, Sport v regionech.
On Saturday 1 March 2014, the Czech Winter Swimming Breaststroke Championships returned to Prague after last year’s successful debut. Once again our club organised the event in Podolí Swimming Stadium’s outdoor 50-metre pool. We performed to a very high standard both in the water and as organisers. Even the warmer water, around 9°C after this winter’s persistently mild weather, was no obstacle. The competition was held under the patronage of Prague Mayor RNDr. Tomáš Hudeček, Ph.D. Read more…
