Over 2,000 extreme athletes are expected to compete in the Winter Swimming World Championship that will be held in Tallinn, Estonia between March 4 – 10, 2024. IWSA Chairperson Mariia Yrjö-Koskinen expects this event to be the biggest International Winter Swimming Association event in history. “It will be an unforgettable experience. Picture yourself diving into wintery waters, pushing your boundaries, and forming connections with fellow adventurers worldwide. The Winter Swimming World Championship is more than an event – it’s a celebration of the human spirit.”
On March 5th, the 25m butterfly, 100m breaststroke, and 200m freestyle will be contested.
On March 6th, the 50m freestyle, 200m breaststroke, 450m freestyle will be contested.
On March 7th, the 25m freestyle, 50m head-up breaststroke will be contested.
On March 8th, the 25m head-up breaststroke and 100m freestyle will be contested along with the Young Seals, Seals, and Polar Bears water immersion opportunity and the largest winter swimming relay event will be held.
On March 9th, the 4x25m head-up breaststroke relay, the 25m freestyle relay,
On Friday, the IWSA is trying to organize a 1,000-person winter swimming relay and set a new Guinness World Record. In December 2020, 505 people participated in the existing world record winter relay team (see video below). Mariia says, “Our goal is to set a new world record, get at least 1000 swimmers and get a mention in the Guinness Book of World Records. This will be big Friday night event, which will be broadcasted. Of course all saunas will be open and more fun in the program.”
For more information and registration in the 2024 IWSA World Championships, visit tallinnwc2024.ee.
The first IWSA World Championship was held in 2000 in Helsinki, Finland. A 10-year anniversary video is below – with an explanation of the first endurance event in 2006 at 500 meters.
© 2023 Daily News of Open Water Swimming
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