5th Berlin Swimming Cup 2019

The non-profit association Flussbad Berlin is once again organising the inclusive swimming cup, a unique event aimed at Berliners and visitors alike. Everyone is invited to participate and learn more about the multiple award-winning “Flussbad Berlin” urban development project, which seeks to win back the Spree Canal for public use. Your participation and support will send out a collective signal in favour of the project and the preservation of our natural waters. This years cup is being made possible this year by the generous support from the Berlin-Mitte district office as part of the action plan known as “Sauberes Berlin” (Clean Berlin) launched by the Berlin Senate Department for Economics, Energy and Public Enterprises. We would also like to thank our cooperation partners, Berliner Wasserbetriebe, the Landessportbund Berlin (Berlin State Sports Federation), the Berlin Triathlon Union and the Berliner Wasserratten (Berlin Water Rats Association, founded in 1889). For the first time, we are also being supported by the Bezirkssportbund Berlin-Mitte (Berlin-Mitte Sports Association) and the Behinderten- und Rehabilitations-Sportverband Berlin e.V. (Disabled and Rehabilitation Sports Association Berlin or BSBerlin). As in previous years, the swimming route will be inspected in advance and safeguarded during the swim by the THW-Helfervereinigung Neukölln (Neukölln Technical Relief Service, THW) and the Berlin branch of the Deutsche Lebens-Rettungs-Gesellschaft (German Life Saving Society, DLRG).

Flussbad Cup – inclusive river swimming for everyone
It is very important to us that we make it possible for ALL swimming enthusiasts in Berlin 16 years of age and up to participate in our event. In order to make this happen, we rely on generous support from the Behinderten- und Rehabilitations- Sportverband Berlin e.V. (Berlin Sports Association for the Disabled Individuals in Rehabilitation) and the Verein Berliner Wasserratten gegr. 1889 (Berlin Water Rats Association, founded in 1889). These organisations enable individuals with and without disabilities to swim together in the Spree Canal. In particular, the Verein der Berliner Wasserratten offers swimmers with disabilities full support throughout the event.

New distance for the competition, no fee for River Swim
There are two new features to note in 2019: there will be no fee for participants in the more relaxed Flussschwimmen, while the more competitive Flussbad Pokal race will be extended from a distance of 1,000 metres to the Olympic distance of 1,500 metres. This year’s swimming route will start at Monbijoubrücke and flow past the Schlossbrücke all the way to the Humboldt Forum – and back. Partciciptans in the racing-swim pay EURO 20, those who are members in the Flussbad Berlin Association pay only EURO 15 (become a member).

You have to register for both formats equally: The registration for the free River Swim is possible via our website; for the swimming competition, please register directly on the website of our cooperation partner Berliner Wasserratten e.V.

Alternative Date
If the quality of the water in the Spree Canal is not up to standard on the scheduled date of the Flussbad Cup on 16 June 2019, the event will be postponed until Sunday 25th August 2019.

Flussbad Berlin visits the Bode Museum
If the swim on 16 June has to be cancelled due to weather conditions, the State Museums of Berlin (SMB) – as they did last year – will invite all registered swimmers to visit the Bode Museum for free on that day! We are delighted to accept this generous neighbourly offer of support.

Schedule (Subject to change)
The competition will take place from 1 to 3 pm. The River Swim for all registered ones will then start, and wil take place from about 3 to 5.30 pm. We keep you informed about any details and changes and important informations.

Approval
By participating in the event, every body gives his / her consent to the possible publication of images and / or footage in which he/she appers and might be recognised.