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Hungarian Ice and Winter Swimming Association
6 October 2026

Season openers in the largest winter swimming communities

In Budapest, Kecskemét and Szeged the winter starts together. Meet three large Hungarian communities and their season openers.

A group of winter swimmers in colourful hats in a hole in a frozen lake, onlookers on the shore
Winter bathing together at the Chechło-Nakło reservoir in Poland, 2018. Illustration.Photo: Marek Ślusarczyk (Tupungato) / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0

Nobody should start winter swimming alone: the safest – and most enjoyable – way in is through an experienced community. In autumn most groups open the winter with a joint swim, and newcomers are welcome.

Nemzetközi Hidegvíz Törzs (NHVTE)

Nemzetközi Hidegvíz Törzs Egyesület (International Coldwater Tribe Association) is a member of the association and organizes the National Ice Swimming Championships.

[SHORT INTRODUCTION: SINCE WHEN, WHERE THEY SWIM, WHO IS WELCOME]

Kecskeméti Sivatagi Fókák (Desert Seals of Kecskemét)

[SHORT INTRODUCTION: SINCE WHEN, WHERE THEY SWIM, WHO IS WELCOME]

Szegedi Jégmadarak (Kingfishers of Szeged)

[SHORT INTRODUCTION: SINCE WHEN, WHERE THEY SWIM, WHO IS WELCOME]

Before you go

Before your first swim, read the Getting started page and the basic safety rules. More groups are on the Groups map. If you would like your community's season opener listed here, write to us at the address on the Contact page.

Season openers in the largest winter swimming communities · Hungarian Ice and Winter Swimming Association