55. Neuburg Donauschwimmen 2026

The Danube Swim in Neuburg an der Donau is known as Europe's largest winter swimming event. What began in 1970 with eight members of the water rescue service daring an ice test for fun has evolved into a spectacular event that attracts around 2,000 participants annually from across Germany and Europe.

Swimmers cover a four-kilometre route from the Bittenbrunn barrage to the rowing club. Participants often present themselves in colourful costumes and with imaginative water floats as they pass the city's impressive Renaissance backdrop. The event is traditionally opened with a salute from the local marksmen.

Eight rescuers, as a joke

In 1970 eight members of the local water rescue dared each other into the January Danube for fun. The joke became the Danube swim of Neuburg: every last Saturday of January, four kilometres from the Bittenbrunn barrage past the Renaissance old town, in wetsuits, many in costume, some towing fantasy floats, the start announced by a cannon salute. The hardest swim only the final 400 metres without neoprene; the record year, 2017, counted 2,259 swimmers.