We are a group of people who enjoy cold-water swimming and prefer to do it together. We believe in the power of a crowd, in the best sense of the word.
Three times a week, from early October to late March, we swim together in the Ostravice. Those who cannot swim get used to the cold by standing in the water. We are here for consistency, not competition or records. Our swims begin at 4pm on Mondays and Wednesdays and 9am on Saturdays.
How to get started
Click to enlarge the photo
We run the Válcovenské steps and sometimes meet at running races too.
More about running
Click to enlarge the photo
We head into the Beskydy Mountains together: good company works just as well away from the river.
More about hiking
Click to enlarge the photo
As we are first and foremost a group of cold-water swimmers, our swims at U Žida come first here.
Imagine arriving at the river at nine in the morning. In winter. It is drizzling, the ground is muddy, the air is 7°C and the water 3°C. You have not slept particularly well or do not feel especially fit. Perhaps the timing in your menstrual cycle is not ideal. And you are alone: of the five friends who planned to start swimming at the end of summer, only two remain, and the other one is ill.
You probably will not go to the river at all. If you do, you may not get in. And if you do that… you will hardly feel like repeating it regularly.
Now picture what happens at U Žida three times a week, all winter. You come because you know people will be there — lots of people. Some you are particularly pleased to see; others you recognise by sight. Nine o’clock approaches, and everyone starts changing into swimwear. Without overthinking it, you change too. The first people enter the water, and you follow. You pass swimmers already coming out and exchange smiles. Before long, you have done it too. You are smiling, feeling good, full of energy for the rest of the day — and keen to do it again.
We believe in the power of a group. More than that, we know it works.
You receive that encouragement from others and give it back in return. That group is made up of people just like you.
Our swims
Mondays and Wednesdays at 4pm,
Saturdays at 9am.
Every week.
It is easier than it looks.
If this will be your first dip in cold water, arrange to come on a Saturday morning. Daylight makes it much more pleasant, and Saturdays are ideal for newcomers. We will talk everything through before entering the water together.