XIX Latvian Open Winter Swimming Championship, stage of the IWSA World Cup

Competition Schedule

• 9:00: Transfer from Hotel "Līva" to the event venue – Beberliņi Reservoir (8 Lībiešu Street, Liepāja).
• 9:30: Championship Office opens.
• 9:30 – 10:30: Participant registration.
• 11:00 – 11:30: Opening Ceremony, Briefing, and Warm-up.
• 11:40 – 12:20: 100 m Breaststroke.
• 12:20 – 12:35: “Young Seals” non-timed water immersion in a separate pool.
• 12:35 – 13:15: 25 m Freestyle.
• 13:15 – 13:30: “Polar bears” and “Seals”.
• 13:30 – 14:30: 200 m Freestyle.
• 15:00: Awards ceremony.
• After the awards ceremony: Transfer from Beberliņi Reservoir back to Hotel "Līva".
• Guided Tour: Discover Liepāja’s Winter Charm!

• 9:00: Transfer from Hotel "Līva" to the event venue – Beberliņi Reservoir (8 Lībiešu Street, Liepāja).
• 9:30: Championship Office opens.
• 9:00 – 10:30: Participant registration.
• 11:00 – 11:30: Opening Ceremony, Briefing, and Warm-up.
• 11:40 – 12:10: 25 m Breaststroke.
• 12:10 – 12:25: “Young seals” non-timed water immersion in a separate pool.
• 12:25 – 13:45: 450 m Freestyle.
• 14:00 – 14:10: 50 m Ice Butterfly.
• 14:25 – 15:10:  50 m Freestyle.
• 15:20 – 15:35: Club and Open Team Relay 4 x 25 m Freestyle.
• 16:00: Awards ceremony for winners, followed by a surprise prize drawing for a paid distance race participant who is present.
• After the awards ceremony: Transfer from Beberliņi Reservoir back to Hotel "Līva".
• 19:30: Participants’ banquet/party at the Hotel Amrita (Rīgas iela 7/9, Liepāja), buffets and live music are included.

• 10:30: Opportunity to join a group swim in the Baltic Sea (exact meeting point will be announced based on weather conditions).

Safety

A lifeguard and medical professional will be present at the venue. Swimmers must not use stimulants, alcohol, or body-warming substances before a swim. Participants agree not to hold organizers responsible for any injuries due to personal fault or overexertion.

Awards

All participants receive a certificate of participation. The top three competitors in each age category will receive medals. The fastest overall male and female participant in each individual distance will receive a commemorative prize or a monetary award at the organizer's discretion.

For full regulations, see here

Participation

The competition is international, but athletes may not represent Russia or Belarus. By registering, participants confirm their health is suitable for winter swimming and that they take personal responsibility for their health. Participants under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Age Categories and Distances

Swimmers are divided into age groups for fair competition. The age for the 2026–2027 season is determined by the year 2027.

Competitive Disciplines

• 25 m Freestyle (15 age groups, A1–J4, for up to 108 participants);
• 25 m Breaststroke (15 age groups, A1-J4, for up to 84 participants);
• 50 m Ice Butterfly (14 age groups, A2-J4, for up to 24 participants);
• 50 m Freestyle (14 age groups, A2-J4, for up to 90 participants);
• 100 m Breaststroke (14 age groups, A2–J4, for up to 48 participants);
• 200 m Freestyle (13 age groups, B–J4, for up to 48 participants);
• 450 m Freestyle (13 age groups, B-J4, for up to 24 participants).

Freestyle Team Relays (for up to 18 teams)

• 4×25 m Freestyle (4 age groups, FR1 – FR4).
• 4×25 m Open (Mixed team – one age group).

Non-Competitive Swims

• "Young Seals" (Water Immersion) – unlimited number of participants, for ages 8 and older.
• "Seals" (25 m swim) and "Polar Bears" (50 m swim) – limited to up to 30 participants on Friday and 30 participants on Saturday.

For full regulations, see here

Online Pre-registration

Open until November 13, 2026, at 11:59 PM. The price is €25 per swim for 1–2 individual swims, €20 per swim for 3–7 individual swims, and €10 per swim for non-timed swims. Payment must be transferred to the organizer's bank account before the competition day. Register online here

On-site Registration

Available at Hotel "Līva" on November 19 (17:00–20:00) and at the event venue on November 20 and 21 (09:30–10:30). Prices are higher: €35 per swim for 1–2 individual swims, €30 per swim for 3–7 individual swims, and €40 per team for the relay. Non-timed swims remain at €10. You must present a personal ID, fill out the entry form, and pay in cash or via online banking.

Optional Fees

An optional Medal of participation costs €5, and the closing ceremony and banquet is €40. Note that no refunds will be given if a participant doesn't attend or if the event is canceled due to force majeure.

For full regulations, see here

How to get to Liepaja

BY PLANE
The nearest airports are Riga International Airport and Palanga International Airport in Lithuania. Both of them offer a wide range of international connections, providing convenient access to Liepaja.

BY CAR
Liepaja is easily accessible by road from both Latvia and Lithuania. From Riga, take the A9 highway (approximately 220 km), from Klaipėda, the A11 highway (approximately 100 km).

BY BUS
Regular bus services connect Liepaja with Riga and Palanga. The journey from Riga takes approximately 3–3.5 hours, while Palanga can be reached in approximately 1.5 hours. Liepaja Bus Terminal is located close to the city centre.

BY TRAIN
Liepaja is connected to Riga by regular passenger train services. The journey takes approximately 3 hours. Liepaja Railway Station is located close to the city centre.

For more information on transport connections, timetables, tickets and local transportation, please visit Liepaja tourism portal's section How to get to Liepaja.

Where to stay

Time and Place

Championship will be held on November 20 and 21, 2026 – at the picturesque Beberliņi Reservoir (Lībiešu iela 8, Liepāja).

For full regulations, see here