The tenth anniversary edition of our competition was also the first Ladislav Nicek Memorial. Interest was strong, with 151 competitors. Conditions were truly wintry; to quote the certificate, water 1.9°C, air −14°C. A weak current made the event still harder, perhaps explaining why several strong swimmers chose shorter distances. Last year, 54 swam 1,000 metres; this year, only 31 of the hardiest attempted the longest course. Read more…
The tenth anniversary of our competition will also be the first Ladislav Nicek Memorial. Last year’s Braník Ice was Laďa’s final competition; he died in May 2011, shortly before his 98th birthday. His son, Ladislav Nicek Jr, will be among our guests. Read more…
The 41st Cold-Water Swimmers’ Gathering on the Metuje, also the 13th J. Řebíček Memorial, took place in Náchod on 14 January 2012 amid wintry scenery: a little snow, air at 1°C and water at 3°C. We had a strong turnout, with 25 of the 105 swimmers. We also won twice — Petr Tomášek over 750 metres and Tomáš Prokop over 250 — and took two second places: Radmila Srbová over 500 metres and Taťána Prokopová over 250. Read more…
I. PKO Praha’s traditional swimmers’ baptism took place on Sunday 8 January 2012. The weather was less traditional: air at 4°C, water at 5°C, cloudy skies but no snow. We also welcomed Ladislav Nicek Jr, son of the legendary swimmer. Visiting Jiří and Jiří Horník from Vejprnice near Plzeň brought the number baptised to twenty. Read more…
The 41st cold-water swimming display on the Elbe in Pardubice was held this year as the first Dr Jaroslav Danielka Memorial. Both water and air were around 4°C; measurements just before the swim were about half a degree lower, with a strong current too. Our club had 21 representatives. As usual, the walk from the finish back to the changing rooms took us through town and across a busy junction, much to the surprise of pedestrians and drivers. Read more…
I. PKO Praha’s cold-water swimmers wish all our supporters a happy 2012 and invite you to Braník on Sunday 8 January at 10:30 for the traditional New Year baptism. Thank you also to everyone who joined the Alfred Nikodem Memorial and contributed to its record turnout. Interest in information about cold-water swimming on our website was exceptional too, evidently boosted by this year’s Christmas race. Read more…
On 26 December 2011, as every year, we organised the oldest Czech cold-water swimming competition: the Alfred Nikodem Memorial. Its 65th edition again offered 100-, 300- and 750-metre distances. The longest was a timed race, with swimmers assessed on their finishing places as well as the distance completed; the shorter swims had no placing. All distances, however, earned points towards the Czech Winter Swimming Cup. Read more…
As every year, we organised the Alfred Nikodem Memorial on 26 December 2011. Its 65th edition again featured 100-, 300- and 750-metre events. Skies were clear, the water was 5.6°C and the air 6°C. A record number of swimmers took part. Read more…
I. plavecký klub otužilců Praha warmly invites you to the 65th Alfred Nikodem Memorial, our Christmas swimming competition in the Vltava. The event is supported by Prague City Hall, the Prague Sports Union and our co-organiser, the Prague 1 district. Read more…
Racing at Plzeň’s Bolevecký Pond traditionally provides one of the tougher cold-water challenges. This year was no exception, although the event had moved a week earlier to avoid a repeat of last year’s frozen pond. At 3.8°C, the water was warmer than in other years, but the only sunshine we saw was as we left Prague. It vanished and never returned, while a damp, cold wind got under our skin even on the bank. Read more…
