A Record Number of Swimmers Dive in to Copenhagen’s Canals Over Two Days

With the largest number of participants ever, SvømDanmark is ready this weekend to welcome over 4,500 swimmers to Denmark's biggest open-water swimming event: the TrygFonden Copenhagen Swim.

"The TrygFonden Copenhagen Swim is swimming and the joy of water at its best. The clean bathing water acts as a magnet for life, joy, and community. We see this with the record number of participants in the Copenhagen Swim," says Allan Nyhus, director of SvømDanmark.

The more than 4,500 participants will embark on five different distances: the Krüger Relay (4x500m), the REMA 1000-meter, 2,000m, 2,000m by night, and 10,000m.

"This means that the event caters to a very broad audience – we have both seasoned open-water swimmers tackling the 10,000m distance, new open-water swimmers testing the waters with the REMA 1000-meter, those who prefer the classic 2,000m route, those who enjoy racing in the 500m relay, and those looking for a unique experience with the 2,000m by night," explains Allan Nyhus.

There are still a few spots available in some of the 2,000m heats on Saturday.

A Record Number Will Swim Through the Canals at Twilight

Even before the open-water season officially started in May, there were hardly any spots left for the 2,000m by night distance, and we had to open additional heats.

This means that on Friday evening, we’ll send off more than 550 swimmers into the twilight, each equipped with a glowing swim buoy.

"For the past two years, it has been a spectacular sight when participants swim through the canals with their glowing buoys in all the colors of the rainbow. Many participants have shared that it was a cozy and unique experience – and even more were eager to try it this year," says Allan Nyhus, director of SvømDanmark.

The distance is particularly popular among our international participants. In addition to Danes, many from across Europe and the United Kingdom have signed up, and they will be joined by swimmers from Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, China, and Canada.

"We are proud that our event helps put Denmark on the world map in terms of open-water swimming," says Allan Nyhus and continues:

"We saw during the Olympics what clean water – or the lack thereof – in the Seine can do to a city's sense of identity. Fortunately, we are better off here in Copenhagen, as we have been able to swim around Christiansborg almost every year since 2006, with just a few exceptions. It’s truly amazing that this is possible. This is how it should be in all European cities, where people can jump into the water and experience the joy of life and a sense of community through their connection with the water."

The event, called the TrygFonden Copenhagen Swim by night, will take place from 8:00 PM to 9:30 PM.

A Swimming Relay – Including for Companies

Aquatics Denmark and the environmental company Krüger Veolia A/S have teamed up to create a Friday event designed to help companies see the potential in participating. Teams of four can sign up for the Krüger Relay, where each member swims 500m.

"We really want to open companies' eyes to the fact that groups of employees can take part, and that anyone can join – much like how many companies participate in the DHL Relay. It's possible to leave the office together on Friday and participate in the afternoon or evening," says Allan Nyhus, director of Aquatics Denmark.

On Friday evening at the event site, there will be both food and live music in the form of a jazz trio. This way, groups of colleagues can meet up after participating and dine together. More than 500 participants have signed up for the Krüger Relay this year.

A Brief Overview of the TrygFonden Copenhagen Swim

• Denmark's largest recreational swimming event in open water.
• Held almost every year since 2006.
• Distances of 1,000m, 2,000m, and 10,000m, as well as the Krüger Relay (4x500m).
• More than 150 volunteers assist with registration, timing, logistics, announcing, and much more.
• The event starts and finishes at the Black Diamond on Søren Kierkegaards Plads in Copenhagen.
• Participants swim counterclockwise around Slotsholmen – starting at the Black Diamond, swimming under Knippelsbro into the canal, past Christiansborg and into the Frederiksholm Canal, before exiting the canal at BLOX and finishing at the Black Diamond.

For press inquiries, please contact:
Press and Communications Consultant Maja Lorentzen (M: 2056 7281 / E: mkl@svoem.dk)