Overview

Events, races and charity

8 articles · Memorial races, Christmas swims, charity dips and other cold-water swimming events and competitions.

2 November 2025Events, races and charity

The 79th Alfred Nikodém Memorial, 2025

On Friday 26 December 2025, Prague's Vltava River beside Slovanský Island will host the 79th Alfred Nikodém Memorial, a celebration for winter swimmers. The race is organised by I. plavecký klub otužilců Praha.

Otakar Zemek2 November 20251 min read

25 November 2024Events, races and charity

The 78th Alfred Nikodém Memorial, 2024

On Thursday 26 December 2024, Prague's Vltava River beside Slovanský Island will host the 78th Alfred Nikodém Memorial, a celebration for winter swimmers. The race is organised by I. plavecký klub otužilců Praha.

Otakar Zemek25 November 20241 min read

25 December 2022Events, races and charity

More than 100 cold-water swimmers took a Christmas dip in the Ostravice

More than 100 cold-water swimmers gathered at U Žida on Christmas Eve morning. The weather really was on our side: melting snow, slush, murky water and a strong current… well, that is how a softie might describe it. We decided it was beautiful, and beautiful it was. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, friends.

Otakar Zemek25 December 20221 min read

2 December 2022Events, races and charity

Take the plunge for early intervention — the campaign is under way!

For the third year running, we launched the North Moravian leg of Nebuď srab! Namoč se pro ranou péči — Take the plunge for early intervention with a group swim by the weir at U Žida. The campaign supports families raising children with disabilities and the early intervention services they rely on.

Otakar Zemek2 December 20222 min read

25 December 2021Events, races and charity

A record turnout on Christmas Day

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.

Otakar Zemek25 December 20211 min read

11 December 2021Events, races and charity

A big plunge for early intervention — www.nebudsrab.cz

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.

Otakar Zemek11 December 20211 min read

2 December 2021Events, races and charity

Take the plunge for early intervention

Dear fellow swimmers, this is something for us. Let us not overlook people whose lives have been less fortunate than ours.

Otakar Zemek2 December 20212 min read

25 September 2021Events, races and charity

Czech Winter Swimming Cup: the 2021/2022 calendar

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.

Otakar Zemek25 September 20211 min read