At last: the ceremonial opening of the 2012/2013 winter swimming season! On 7 October 2012, 46 I. PKO swimmers were among the 203 classified participants entering the Punkva. The water was 7.9°C, the air 12.0°C, and the distances 100 and 300 metres. Weather was unkind to swimmers and spectators alike, with rain throughout. It could not dampen the event’s traditionally friendly atmosphere, though, and good spirits and excellent svíčková rounded off a successful day.
Everyone went home happy, knowing that the new season’s competitive racing would begin in earnest the following week. During the opening assembly, our distinguished member and friend Jan Novák was honoured for his contribution to cold-water swimming. A minute’s silence also commemorated I. PKO swimmer Vašek Pilík, who died tragically.
