Most, Czech Republic – On Saturday, March 1, 2025, a staggering 2,461 cold-water enthusiasts plunged into the chilly waters of Most Lake in northwest Czech Republic, setting a new Guinness World Record for the largest polar bear dip. The event eclipsed the previous record of 1,799 swimmers, established a decade ago on February 15, 2015, in Mielno, Poland, along the Baltic Sea.
Clad in bathing suits, the participants braved water temperatures of just 3.5 degrees Celsius (38.2 degrees Fahrenheit) to achieve the feat. According to Guinness World Records rules, participants had to stand at least waist-deep in water below 10 degrees Celsius (50 degrees Fahrenheit) and remain submerged together for a minimum of one minute. Photos captured the spirited group warming up on the shore, preparing to dive in, and emerging triumphantly after their icy dip.
“Czechs are a nation of polar swimmers,” declared David Vencl, the event’s organizer and a celebrated freediver. Vencl, no stranger to extreme aquatic challenges, set his own world record four years ago by swimming 80.9 meters (265 feet) under ice, the longest distance ever recorded for a man in that category.
The record-breaking dip at Most Lake showcased the Czech Republic’s passion for cold-water swimming, drawing thousands of participants and spectators to the northwest region. Images from the scene, credited to AP photographer Petr David Josek, depict swimmers gearing up, wading into the frigid lake, and celebrating their collective achievement.
The successful attempt not only highlights the growing popularity of polar bear dips—traditionally held to embrace the thrill of winter swimming—but also cements the Czech Republic’s reputation as a hub for daring aquatic feats.
