Swimmers in the Czech Rep. Break World record for the largest polar dip

On Saturday, the Czech Republic engraved its name into the record books when 2,461 cold water lovers plunged into the cold waters of the most landed lake and showed a New Guinness World Record for the largest polar bear dip.

This remarkable performance exceeded the previous record of 1,799 participants, which was set up in Mielno, Poland on February 15, 2015.

The participants defy the water temperatures of 3.5 degrees Celsius (38.2 degrees Fahrenheit) to reach this milestone. In order to meet the strict criteria of Guinness World Records, every swimmer had to wear a swimmer, stay in the water for at least a minute, according to AP News.

The event was orchestrated by David Vencl, a renowned Czech Freediver who was celebrated for his extraordinary performance when swimming cold water. In 2021, Vencl set a world record by swimming 80.9 meters under ice without a wetsuit. His passion for the immersion of cold water and his commitment to promoting sport played a crucial role in mobilizing such a large number of participants for this record attempt.

Cold water swimming, otherwise referred to as “polar bear immersion”, has deep cultural roots in the Czech Republic. The activity is estimated not only because of its invigorating nature, but also because of its health benefits, including improved blood circulation and increased immunity. Since the municipalities across the country became more mainstream, they have often been organizing winter swimming events.

Some of 2461 polar swimmers get out of the water after having broken a world record for the largest polar bear dip on a lake on Saturday, March 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

The successful record attempt most lake has attracted international attention. The performance was widespread by global media that celebrated the courage of the participants and at the same time increased the yardstick for other nations.