Hello, fellow lovers of icy water! At 9 am on Saturday 3 October 2026, we begin our eighth season of cold-water dipping and winter swimming together at U Žida in Frýdek-Místek. Everyone who has shared a winter or two with us is invited — and so is anyone who keeps saying that next year they really will come along. Make this the year!
It is easier than you might think, largely because you are not doing it alone. The essentials are still the same: the River Ostravice, good company and regular get-togethers by the water. It is not about who can stay in the longest. It is about seeing each other throughout the winter.
When and where we meet
The season runs from Saturday 3 October 2026 to Saturday 27 March 2027. Our meeting place is still Staroměstský weir on the River Ostravice in Frýdek-Místek, known to us all as U Žida.
- Eighth-season opening: Saturday 3 October 2026 at 9 am.
- Mondays and Wednesdays: group swim at 4 pm.
- Saturdays: group swim at 9 am.
- End of the season: Saturday 27 March 2027.
These are our regular times throughout the season. Please arrive early enough to get ready without rushing so we can start together. If you do not know the location yet, our About us page has more information about the group and swimming at U Žida.
Thinking of starting this year?
You do not have to wait for the ice, or until you feel like a fully fledged winter swimmer. Join us at the start of the season and you can ease into regular swimming as we head towards winter together. There is nothing to prove and no need to compare yourself with people who have several winters behind them.
If it is your first time, let me know beforehand and arrive at 8.45 am on Saturday. Before the group swim, we will explain how things work, and you will have someone with you for your first dip. Before setting off, read our information for newcomers. You will find more answers in our cold-water swimming FAQ.
Swimming together: two simple rules
Swimming as a group has plenty of advantages. We also have a few rules to keep it the experience we all enjoy.
- No alcohol by the water. No drinking before or during the swim, or immediately afterwards at the riverside. U Žida is an alcohol-free zone.
- We start together. Nobody gets in even a minute before the group swim begins. Other people's company is what makes swimming at U Žida easier for you. They want the same from you.
Join us for a run afterwards
We also go running after our swim. Not everyone does, but anyone who wants to and is able to join has company. It is not a race: we match the pace of the slowest runner. For some, this could be the return to exercise they have been putting off for ages. Having others alongside them might be just what helps them start.
Find out more about our running. And if the mountains appeal as much as swimming and running, take a look at our group hikes.
Helping animals with JSEM TU!
This year we will also have JSEM TU!, the cold-water swimming app we developed over the summer, to help us along. It encourages people to turn up and adds a little friendly competition to the group. It does not track swimming speed or time in the water for that competition; it focuses on what matters most: consistency, regular attendance and showing up. The app includes a personal Cold-Water Diary with a calendar of entries, statistics, charts and data export. It really does offer a lot. And, just as importantly, our sponsor will donate one Czech koruna to Faunapark Frýdek-Místek for every dip confirmed in the app. Find out more here.
See you by the water on Saturday!
The group photo in the opening graphic is a reminder of last year's first swim. This year, you could be in it too. Come and catch up with familiar faces, meet new people and start another winter with us.
If anything is unclear, send a message or give me a call. You can also arrange your first swim with me on +420 792 349 539.
Saturday 3 October 2026, 9 am, U Žida. Our eighth season already. I look forward to seeing you!
See you by the water,
Otakar Zemek