Traditions Geneva Christmas swim with record participation
At the Geneva Christmas Swim: please get wet first!
Image: Keystone
Many Geneva Christmas swimmers enter the water with a fun accessory.
Image: Keystone
At the Geneva Christmas Swim: please get wet first!
Image: Keystone
Many Geneva Christmas swimmers enter the water with a fun accessory.
Image: Keystone
The traditional Christmas swim is taking place this weekend in the lake outside the city of Geneva. More than 4400 swimmers have registered for the 86th edition - a new participation record.
21.12.2024, 16:33
SDA
The event takes place on Saturday and Sunday with a water temperature of just over 8 degrees. The first swimmers jumped off the jetty set up next to the ship "Genève" at 8.30 a.m. on Saturday morning and swam 100 meters along the English Garden.
The swimmers, most of whom were dressed up, splashed themselves with ice water before jumping into the lake. It is a moment that is always accompanied by shouting and laughter, much to the delight of the audience.
Created in 1934, the Geneva Christmas Swim is one of the largest events of its kind: "It is a physical and mental challenge, a test of resilience and a tribute to the tradition of cold-water swimming," say the organizers. Cold-water swimming, which was already popular before the coronavirus pandemic, is becoming increasingly popular.
Respect your own limits
However, the organizers also say that cold water swimming is not harmless and requires good preparation. It is important to swim regularly to get used to the cold temperatures. You should not swim alone and you should also be aware of your own limits. However, swimming in cold water then produces a dose of endorphins that puts you in a good mood for the whole day.
The event is considered the oldest sports competition in Geneva and has only had to be canceled four times since 1934: once during the Second World War, once during the Covid-19 pandemic and twice due to extreme weather conditions.
