On Monday 27 December 2021, it took two people, two axes and ten minutes to prepare the water for our regular swim. Here in Frýdek-Místek, we consider swimming among the ice the highlight of the season. Here are a few photos.
On 25 December 2021, more cold-water swimmers than we could count gathered at U Žida for a dip in the icy Ostravice. As on every Saturday, several newcomers joined us for their first swim — hopefully not their last.
On Saturday 11 December 2021, what I dare say was the campaign’s biggest group of cold-water swimmers took the plunge for early intervention services in Ostrava (www.nebudsrab.cz). The Ostravice was a wonderfully biting 2°C, making it quite an experience.
In other words, great fun. Both the weather and our spirits were good, so we enjoyed the icy water instead of struggling through it. Cold-water swimming in Frýdek-Místek is running like a well-oiled machine. Thank you to everyone who takes part.
Snow fell overnight, and this morning we met for the moment we had been looking forward to since spring: swimming in truly icy water, surrounded by snow.
Whenever I say that, almost anyone who organises group winter swims shakes their head in disbelief. Yes, fifty — sometimes seventy. Once we passed thirty, I stopped counting; it became impossible.
Our group swims have continued throughout November. The water has dropped to a lovely 6°C, and fifty or more of us still gather for our regular Monday, Wednesday and Saturday swims.
This was the saddest swim we have ever had at U Žida. David Grygar died overnight on Thursday: our big-hearted friend, an athlete and a hard worker who fought a serious illness.
Ten-year-old Tomáš and 15-year-old Kája tried their first cold-water swim today. Thinking of joining us? Get in touch beforehand and read our beginners’ guide. Here are photographs from today’s swim. Update: the videos have been removed.
Thank you to everyone who began the weekend with a swim in the pleasantly chilled Ostravice. At 10°C, it is starting to feel like proper cold-water swimming. Soon it will be even better.
Feeling competitive? Find out about winter swimming races, the season’s calendar and the rules. Most races require registration with the Czech Swimming Sports Federation (ČSPS). I will gladly explain the process and help you register. See you at the water on 2 October at 9am.
A warm invitation to everyone who enjoys winter swimming and cold exposure: join us for the opening of the cold-water swimming season in Frýdek-Místek.
Thanks to a special exemption, on Saturday we were able to celebrate the end of a successful 2020/2021 season together. Thank you to Michal Ševčík for the photos.
We also have a Facebook group. Think of it as the clubhouse we do not have in real life. It is just for those of us who actually come to the river and know one another.
Because of new COVID-related restrictions, our group winter swims at U Žida are temporarily suspended from 1 March 2021. Thank you for a wonderful season so far. Please respect the restrictions; I look forward to meeting again when circumstances allow. Ota
The season is at its peak, and Monday was a real success: pleasantly chilly water and beautiful sunshine. There was not much room to swim, but it was perfect for Facebook photos :-) Thanks to Michal Ševčík for the pictures and our fixed camera for the video.
Winter swimming is not just for the young. If your health allows, you can come for a swim even at eighty — with the water at 1°C, the air at −3°C and ice floating on the surface, as it was today.
Our first-ever swimming caps in club colours have arrived: comfortable seamless silicone with a five-colour logo. They look good, but more importantly they are practical winter swimming kit. Immersing your head feels great and makes front crawl and breaststroke more comfortable. It simply works better with a cap.
Winter swimming has rules, something most beginners do not realise. Search for ‘winter swimming rules’ if you would like to read them in full. You may think you will never enter a competition, and perhaps you will not, but we will still follow the rules.
On Monday 19 December, we had to use axes to reach the water — as shown on Czech Television in a report by David Grygar, who happened to be passing. Today the water was 5.5°C and spring was in the air.
What better way to start the weekend than a swim? The Ostravice at 1.2°C — a snowy photo gallery. News from Otužilci Frýdek-Místek’s cold-water swimming…
Anyone who came today made the right choice. Snow all around and perfect winter swimming conditions. Why travel to ski when you can enjoy winter sports right here in town? Frýdek-Místek is simply the best.
That is how we do things at U Žida on the Ostravice in Frýdek-Místek. If you are healthy, come along, listen to the essentials and go for a swim. No unnecessary talk, preparation or meditation. Get in and swim. You can try it too, perhaps as soon as next Saturday.
Another big turnout, with distancing and other precautions observed, of course. The water was 3.3°C, and five newcomers proved once again that you can start at any time. If you are reading this and hesitating, call or write and try it next Saturday.
…and everyone enjoyed it. The fog was almost thick enough to cut in places, but overall the weather was lovely. Pictures speak louder than words, so here they are — the photos and one video.
