Wakenitzmann Lübeck

The WakenitzMan is an annual open-water swimming event held in the Wakenitz river, scheduled for August 30, 2026. Organized by Tri-Sport Lübeck e.V., the race utilizes a river course that flows into the Trave, offering participants a distinct perspective of the surrounding landscape. Swimmers navigate waters that were, until 1989, part of the restricted inner German border zone. This historical isolation preserved the river’s ecology to such an extent that it is locally referred to as the 'Amazon of the North'. The stillness of these waters today stands in stark contrast to the historical urgency of the Cold War, when the nearby Mechower See served as a high-stakes escape route for those attempting to swim toward the Federal Republic of Germany to reach safety.

Historical landmarks from the water

As the course nears the finish in Lübeck, the skyline reveals why the city is famously known as the 'City of the Seven Towers'. Athletes can sight the steeples of the five main Protestant churches, which serve as primary navigational landmarks. Among these, the St. Mary's Church is particularly notable; its central nave features the world's tallest brick vault, reaching 38.5 meters. The race path also skirts the edges of the medieval city island, bringing swimmers into close proximity with the Holstentor, a landmark gate constructed in the 15th century that sits just above the water line. While the beauty of the old town is evident, the waters of the Bay of Lübeck carry a somber history; on May 3, 1945, the sinking of the ships Cap Arcona and Thielbek resulted in a major maritime tragedy, a reminder of the events that unfolded in these channels at the end of the Second World War.