18.01.2026 18:02
The Winter Swimming Festival, held in Rize in near-zero degree cold, once again took breath away. In the event, which was held for the 10th time in the Ardeşen district, athletes tested their endurance by swimming in icy waters and provided extraordinary visuals for the spectators.
This year's 10th Winter Swimming Festival held in Rize showcased colorful and extraordinary scenes despite the cold weather. Athletes from different provinces of Turkey tested their endurance by swimming in freezing waters and provided unforgettable moments for the spectators.
60 ATHLETES COMPETED
Approximately 60 athletes participated in the event held in the Neknari area of the Deremezra village in the Ardeşen district of Rize. The participants battled the cold by swimming in water temperatures approaching zero degrees. The event featured fierce competition to stay in the water the longest, with endurance taking center stage.
Event coordinator Hasan Önder informed the athletes about the rules for entering cold water, the duration of staying in the water, and the body's possible reactions before swimming. After the necessary preparations, the athletes entered the icy water and swam through the challenging course.
The participants also played the tulum (a traditional musical instrument) and danced the horon (a traditional dance) in the water. The colorful scenes that emerged attracted great interest from the audience.
"WE SWIM IN ICE-COLD WATER AND WARM UP WITH TEA"
Highlighting the extraordinary aspect of the festival, Hasan Önder emphasized that the event is not just a sports activity, saying: "This is a very different festival that we have organized for the 10th time. Friendship, nature, endurance, and adrenaline come together. On one side, there are tulum melodies, and on the other, we will warm up with the world's most natural tea after coming out of the ice-cold water. The water temperature is around zero degrees, and it even freezes on the surface immediately. This year, 60 people participated, and our goal is to increase this number to 100 in the coming years."
THERE WERE FIRST-TIMERS AS WELL
Ekin Ataş, who came from Izmir for the event, described his experience with these words: "I entered for the first time, it was really very cold. At first, it's hard to breathe, but after a while, the body starts to balance its temperature. It's not possible to stay in the water for a very long time, but it's an incredibly enjoyable experience. I recommend it to everyone."