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Hungarian Ice and Winter Swimming Association
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Ice and winter swimming in Hungary

Hungarian Ice and Winter Swimming Association

Brings together Hungary's ice and winter swimming competitions, the Hungarian team and safe practice.

About the association

Upcoming competitions

All competitions
20273rd Hungarian National Ice Swimming ChampionshipsNC(TBD)18–24January 2027Ice Swimming World ChampionshipIISA · WCOradea, Romania3–7February 2027Winter Swimming European Championship and World CupIWSA · ECGdynia, Poland

Featured news

All news
A swimmer in a bathrobe with goggles on his head drinks a hot drink, other swimmers behind him
Photo: Udrekeli / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
8 October 2026

Get ready for the World Championship in Oradea!

From 18 to 24 January 2027, Oradea hosts the 7th IISA Ice Swimming World Championship. Entries close on 10 December 2026 – now is the time to sort out your medical papers and your entry.

A swimmer in a red cap swimming front crawl, an orange safety buoy behind
Photo: Schwimmschule Steiner / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
7 October 2026

Our professional partners and sponsors

[SAMPLE ARTICLE] Swimming gear, safety equipment, professional cooperation: meet those who support the association's work.

For beginners

First time in cold water?

Four steps to your first dip. It takes patience and good company, not courage.

Beginner's guide

  1. Ask your doctor

    With certain conditions, during pregnancy or if you take medication regularly, cold water can be dangerous. Check when you should talk to a doctor first.

    Health requirements

  2. Start in autumn

    Ideally, start as early as autumn: if you go in every week as the water cools, your body gets used to the cold gradually. You can join later too, but then you need to be far more careful and cautious.

    Read first: Safety

  3. Find company

    Starting out alongside an experienced group is safer, and your motivation lasts longer.

    Teams and cold-water spots

  4. Prepare to warm up

    Have these waiting for you on the shore:

    • Hat
    • Towel
    • Layered clothing
    • Warm drink

In the water now

  • Lake Balaton

    14–17 °C

  • Danube

    12–17 °C

  • Tisza

    15–16 °C

All water temperatures
The sport in numbers
1000 m

The ice kilometre: the longest and most prestigious event of pool ice swimming competitions.

Competitions
1609 m

The Ice Mile: one mile in open water at 5 °C or below.

About the Ice Mile
4 items

Swimsuit, cap, goggles, waist belt or tow float. No neoprene, as the rules require.

Getting started
19

Observers, event organisers, doctors, coaches and lifeguards for fair and safe competitions.

Officials

About the association

01

About us

Who we are, how we work, and which international organisations we belong to as the representative of Hungarian ice and winter swimmers.

More
02

Goals

Safe conditions, a strong domestic calendar, an international presence and more and more well-prepared cold-water swimmers: this is what we build around the sport.

More
03

Documents

Statutes, regulations and the documents of how the association works, publicly, in one place.

More

Our pride

Medallists, record holders and Ice Mile swimmers: the outstanding swimmers of Hungarian ice swimming.

Everyone we are proud of

Safety first

The rules of cold water apply to beginners and champions alike.

Detailed safety guide
  1. Never go into the water alone. Have someone on the shore watching you.
  2. Enter slowly, do not jump. In the first minute the cold speeds up your breathing.
  3. Start with short swims and listen to your own body, not to others.
  4. After you get out, your body keeps cooling for up to 30 minutes. Dry off, dress in layers, have a hot drink.