On December 26th, cold-water swimmers from the Czech Republic, Belgium, Britain, Germany and Slovakia took part in the Vltava River Swim (three separate races of 100, 300 and 750 meters) in Prague.
With the water hovering around 4°C (39°F), two-time English Channel swimmer David Cech (shown below) won the 750-meter course.
While the water could be considered cold by some, it was not as cold as the winter of 1946 when it was impossible to hold the annual race.
At minus 25°C, the water continued to freeze every time the organizers attempted to break the ice with axes.
Note: Piokilothermal means cold-blooded (or having a body temperature that varies with the temperature of its surroundings).
Southern California native, born 1962, is the creator of the WOWSA Awards, Oceans Seven, Openwaterpedia, Citrus Corps, World Open Water Swimming Association, Daily News of Open Water Swimming, Global Open Water Swimming Conference. He is Chief Executive Officer of KAATSU Global and KAATSU Research Institute. Inductee in the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Swimmer, Class of 2001) and Ice Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Contributor - Media, Class of 2019), recipient of the International Swimming Hall of Fame's Poseidon Award (2016), International Swimming Hall of Fame's Irving Davids-Captain Roger Wheeler Memorial Award (2010), USA Swimming's Glen S. Hummer Award (2007, 2010) and Harvard University's John B. Imrie Award (1984). Served on the FINA Technical Open Water Swimming Committee and as Technical Delegate with the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games, and 9-time USA Swimming coaching staff. Note: WOWSA only recommends products or services used or recommended by the community. WOWSA does not receive compensation for links or products mentioned on this site or in blog posts. If it does, it will be indicated clearly on that specific post. See WOWSA's privacy policy for more information.