On 2 October 2016, Blansko hosted the annual opening of the cold-water swimming season, with 300- and 100-metre swims in the Punkva.
This was our first time at the event, and we hope it will not be our last. The magic of the caves, the wonderful atmosphere and the mutual support and togetherness of the I. PKO swimmers made it unforgettable.
From the car park, a little train took us to the main entrance of the Punkva Caves for the opening assembly and boarding the boats. They carried us 300 metres to the start, right in the current, where we jumped over the sides one after another into 8°C water. With water elsewhere much warmer this year, it was something of a shock. A few strokes later, the beauty of the caves captivated us so completely that we had no time to shiver. Never had 300 metres seemed both so long and so short. Swimming in natural water is always an experience; doing so among stalactites and stalagmites multiplies it many times over. At the finish, we managed a few club photos together in the water before heading for lunch.
Thank you to everyone who put so much effort into organising this unusual event. We look forward to the rest of the season.
Lucka and Lucka (Lucie Skokanová Mertová and Lucie Budinská)
Photos by Lucie Skokanová Mertová
