Hungarian National Ice Swimming Championship

What counts as ice swimming?

Ice swimming takes place in water at 5 °C or below. The Hungarian National Ice Swimming Championships follow the rules of the IISA (International Ice Swimming Association).

What happens if the water is warmer than 5 °C?

The competition will still go ahead, but the results will be recorded as cold-water swimming results rather than ice swimming results.

Who can compete in the Hungarian National Ice Swimming Championships?

You can take part if you are at least 16 years old on race day, can swim, have registered and paid the entry fee, and are medically fit to compete.

What are the age groups?

The first age group is 16–24, followed by five-year age groups up to the 100+ category.

Which distances and strokes are available?

You can enter the 50-, 100-, 200-, 250-, 500- and 1,000-metre events, as well as the 4 × 25-metre Fun Relay.

The programme includes freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly over 50 and 100 metres; individual medley over 200 metres; and freestyle over 250, 500 and 1,000 metres.

Can I enter more than one event?

Yes, you can enter several events. If you do, make sure you allow enough time between them to rewarm safely and recover.

Do any distances require a qualifying swim?

Yes. For the 500-metre event, you must provide proof of a swim of at least 250 metres completed within the previous 12 months. For the 1,000-metre event, you must provide proof of at least 500 metres, in accordance with the current IISA qualification table.

Do I need a medical certificate?

Yes, every competitor needs an IISA Medical Assessment Form certified by a sports physician or general practitioner. It is valid for 12 months and includes an ECG examination. Your blood pressure and pulse will also be checked at the venue. The on-site doctor makes the final decision on whether you can compete.

Which documents do I need?

To enter, you must submit a completed and signed liability and consent form, along with your medical certificate. For the 500- and 1,000-metre events, you also need proof of your qualifying swim.

Special ice swimming rules

Diving starts and tumble turns are not allowed. Only open turns are permitted in all strokes. You start in the water beside the pool ladder, holding the ladder or the top of the pool wall with one hand.

How far can I swim underwater?

After pushing off the wall, you may swim underwater for a maximum of 5 metres.

What rules apply to each stroke?

Each stroke has specific rules for starts, turns and wall touches. In freestyle, you must touch the wall with at least one hand. In breaststroke and butterfly, you must touch with both hands simultaneously. In backstroke, you must touch with at least one hand while on your back. The order in individual medley is butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke and freestyle.

You can find the full rules in the current IISA Swimming Rules and Regulations.

You need a standard swimsuit, swimming goggles and one silicone or latex swimming cap with a maximum thickness of 70 mlg. Earplugs, a nose clip and a mouthguard may be used solely for safety purposes. Neoprene and other accessories, such as sports watches or music players, are not permitted. A safety waist belt is mandatory in the competition pool.

What happens if it is no longer safe for me to continue swimming?

The officials may stop your swim if they notice changes in your movement or body language that make it unsafe to continue. If this happens, you must leave the water.

Do I need a helper?

A Second, your designated support person, is mandatory for the 500- and 1,000-metre events. Your Second helps you compete safely and assists with entering and leaving the water.

How do I rewarm after swimming?

Once you leave the water, safe rewarming comes first. Heated changing rooms and a mobile sauna will be available at the venue.

To enter, you need to register, submit the required documents and pay the entry fee. For the 500- and 1,000-metre events, you also need proof of your qualifying swim. The current competition information sets out how to enter, the entry deadline, the entry fee and the required documents.

You’ll find the current competition information and required documents on the championship’s official website. The detailed competition rules are set out in the current IISA Swimming Rules and Regulations.

Competitors start according to the published starting order. Your time is measured from the start until you complete the distance, and the results are published after the competition.

We’ll publish the official results on the championship’s official channels.