Geneva: More than 4,400 swimmers take to the water for the Christmas Cup

The Geneva harbor is hosting the traditional Christmas Cup this weekend. More than 4,400 swimmers registered for this 86th edition, which broke a new attendance record.

The event takes place on Saturday and Sunday in water at just over 8 degrees. The first ones jumped on Saturday morning at 8:30 a.m. from the pontoon set up next to the Bateau Genève to swim 100 meters along the Jardin Anglais.

The swimmers, most of them disguised, splash themselves with icy water before jumping or diving into the lake. A moment always accompanied by screams and laughter to the delight of the audience.

Created in 1934, the Christmas Cup is one of the largest cold water swimming events. “It is a physical and mental challenge, a test of resilience and a tribute to the tradition of cold water swimming,” note the organizers. Already in vogue before the health crisis, swimming in cold water is gaining more and more fans.

Precautions

However, this practice is not trivial and it is better to be well prepared before getting started. You have to swim regularly to get used to each level. The organizers of the Christmas Cup also remind you that you should never swim alone, be alert to the signs of hypothermia, remember to breathe well and learn to know your limits.

Above all, they point out that swimming in cold water provides a dose of endorphin which puts you in a good mood for the day. And good humor was indeed there for this 86th edition. The series continued on Saturday and it will be the same on Sunday. Note that the older swimmer showed off his 84 years without complexes.

This demonstration, classified as dangerous by the Navigation Brigade, is strictly supervised. It benefits from a reinforced security system thanks to the commitment and support of the Geneva Rescue teams, the Navigation Brigade, the SIS, the Samaritans as well as specialized divers.

Since 1934

The Christmas Cup is considered to be the oldest Geneva sporting competition. Only four editions have had to be canceled since 1934: once during the Second World War, another time during the Covid-19 pandemic and twice because of extreme weather conditions.