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. Read more…
The Alfred Nikodem Memorial will take place, as usual, on 26 December at 11:00 at the northern tip of Slovanský Island. We are delighted that you are interested in its 76th edition. Swimmers who are not registered with the Czech Swimming Federation are welcome, provided they meet the requirements below. Read more…
UPDATED 26 October 2022: added Maminka magazine’s report on children and cold-water swimming, including a video.
Following our demonstration session on introducing children and young people to cold-water swimming — see the teaser from Maminka magazine below — we are launching regular training for young cold-water swimmers under 14 from October. Sessions will take place every Thursday from 16:00 to 17:00, with an instructor, of course. Children need a medical certificate confirming fitness for cold-water swimming, parental consent and basic swimming ability. We teach adaptation to cold, rather than swimming itself. Interested parents should get in touch beforehand through our club contacts. Read more…
On 29 January, the last Saturday of the month, I. plavecký klub otužilců Praha held the 19th Branické ledy competition. The event also bears the name Ladislav Nicek Memorial, honouring the veteran cold-water swimmer whose final competition was here on 5 February 2011, shortly before his 98th birthday. This was therefore also the Memorial’s tenth edition. The event returned after a two-year break caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more…
On Sunday 9 January 2022, I. PKO member Roman Havel organised a public introduction to cold-water swimming in Řež. Supported by the municipality of Husinec-Řež and ÚJV Řež, the event attracted around thirty I. PKO swimmers and plenty of visitors. Even the weather played its part: a light snowfall on Sunday morning gave the gathering a proper winter atmosphere. The air temperature was 0.5°C. Read more…
This year’s cold-water swimmers’ baptism in the Vltava took place on Sunday 2 January 2022. That afternoon, the river’s right bank welcomed us with water at 5.6°C and air at 7.7°C. As every year, the event was open to everyone: newcomers and experienced cold-water swimmers, locals and visitors alike. It is not reserved exclusively for “newcomers” who joined our club during the previous year. Read more…
UPDATED 1 January 2022: added a report from Indian television channel WION (source: Reuters).
The 75th anniversary edition of the Alfred Nikodem Memorial took place, as usual, on Boxing Day on Slovanský Island in the heart of Prague. Once again, swimmers had the chance to swim beneath the National Theatre — and for some, to fulfil a cold-water swimming dream.
This year’s coronavirus restrictions were more manageable than last year’s. In 2020, the Ministry of Health’s exemption had required the organiser to give every competitor an antigen test. This year, each participant instead had to show a vaccination or recovery certificate at registration.
After the final frosty night, the river temperature fell by a full degree, and the Vltava greeted swimmers at a lovely 3.4°C. For the first time in eight years, it was below the 4°C threshold, allowing swimmers to earn the proficiency grades needed for further Czech Winter Swimming Cup events. The Czech Republic has particularly detailed competition rules in this discipline. A total of 360 cold-water swimmers made their way to snow-dusted Prague. Read more…
I. plavecký klub otužilců Praha warmly invites you to the 75th 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 Sunday 26 December 2021, Boxing Day, at 11:00 in the Vltava beside Prague’s National Theatre. Read more…
Given the current COVID-19 situation and government restrictions, I. plavecký klub otužilců Praha is ready to organise the Alfred Nikodem Memorial. As usual, it will take place on 26 December 2021 at the northern tip of Slovanský Island. If we need to spread the event over a longer period, the traditional 11:00 start may change. Arrangements will reflect developments over the coming weeks, with a detailed programme published here approximately one week before the event.
Open-water cold swimming really took off last winter. We are waiting to see whether that enthusiasm also brings more public interest in Christmas swimming beside Prague’s National Theatre. We are delighted that you are interested in the event’s 75th edition.
Swimmers who are not registered with the Czech Swimming Federation are welcome, provided they meet the following requirements: Read more…
5 November 2021 is a very sad day: we have lost Boženka Černá (25 February 1930 — 5 November 2021), the oldest practising female cold-water swimmer in the Czech Republic. After fracturing her hip in August, it seemed she might get back on her feet again. In the end, however, her advanced age of 91 and other health difficulties made that impossible. Read more…
