Swimming Corner – fun with swimming!

Swimming as a way to discover new places

Where did the idea come from to get people into swimming and show them where to do it? After all, there’s already a list of swimming events and a register of pools where you can splash around.

PC: Participants of “oczko” also logged their swims during swimming events, for example Aqua Speed races. It’s not that easy to tick off so many bodies of water in a short time, although the summer season helped. I’ll admit I personally liked the secret spots the most – the ones that often aren’t even on the map. Besides, some people did really impressive things, like 10 spots in 24 hours – Daria Z. and Elwira K.; the entire “oczko” in cold water – Michał G., who was the first to complete the challenge; 38 kilometres submitted as one of the swims – Ania D.; the whole “oczko”, i.e. 21 distances in ONE DAY – Marcin H. And many others I really should mention.

PW: Initially, the campaign was aimed at winter swimmers who get bored in the summer. The idea of collecting new bodies of water and inviting others to join in was, in my opinion, a bullseye. In fact, it was people who showed us how many interesting places there are to swim and were eager to share their experiences by posting on Facebook with the hashtag #plywackieoczko2025 and photos. Some even described each spot in detail, rating water quality, access, etc. It’s perfect material for a swimmer’s guide.

Who can take part in the “Pływackie oczko” challenge?

Who are your projects aimed at? Is this an offer for a closed group of enthusiasts, or can anyone “play”? How do you start playing swimming “oczko” and where do you look for spots?

PC: Around 30 people completed the challenge. They are all passionate swimmers with very different “backgrounds”. We naturally addressed the “offer” only to the brave. If someone had the courage and the desire, we invited them in. Looking at it from my own perspective – at the beginning you don’t believe it’s possible to find that many bodies of water. By the end, you’re carefully picking them so they’re as interesting as possible. My own favourite “oczko” was the one I completed with my sons at Highgate Men’s Pond in London – the pond from the film The Ponds. That challenge has already ended, but we’re working on another one. We wanted to prove that you don’t need much to push beyond your own limits.

PW: I’m passionate about the idea of wild swimming, whose pioneer for me is Leszek Naziemiec. To complete “oczko”, you needed at least one sea and one river. Every participant could feel like an explorer, discovering new areas in close contact with nature. For me, the most interesting place I swam in was the stretch of the Łeba River leading to Lake Łebsko. Taking part in swimming “oczko” motivated everyone to search for such gems on the map and to immerse themselves in wild water. Participants discovered many beautiful spots in Poland and in other countries such as the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Croatia, Austria, Hungary, Norway, the UK, Morocco, Iceland and even the USA.

Where does the passion for swimming come from?

And where does your passion for swimming come from? A sporty childhood, a midlife crisis?

PC: [laughs] In my case, I must have tried a hundred different sports in my life, but each one bored me after some time. Swimming has lasted – surprisingly – for 5 years now and I still want more. It can’t be a midlife crisis, because I’m only 46. [smiles] Maybe one day I’ll understand that high elbow.

PW: In my case it’s definitely a midlife crisis. As a child I did various sports – the first one was judo. I also enjoyed being in the water, but I treated it purely recreationally. At 39, I started winter dipping, and a year later I discovered winter swimming. At my first winter swimming competition in Januszkowice, it turned out that being able to swim is – surprisingly – essential for this sport, so I started learning under the guidance of an instructor. This year I’m starting my sixth season of winter and open water swimming.

Swimming as a way to build relationships!

What does swimming give you? Do you swim in the pool and in open water?

PC: We swim everywhere. The time of year doesn’t matter. It’s a sport that takes people to a different dimension. You don’t know why, but you just do it. Simply…

PW: For me, swimming is a lifestyle. It gives me pleasure, relaxation and a sense of satisfaction. In the pool it’s a form of training and building fitness, while the real adventure begins in wild water. And if you add swimming all year round, regardless of temperature and weather, you can truly speak of a special kind of connection with yourself and with nature. Thanks to swimming, I’ve also met amazing people. Since 2020 I’ve been taking part in winter swimming competitions. Two years ago we formed an amateur sports team – Mazovia Ice Swimming Team – and together we pursue our passion for swimming.

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Interview by: Maciej Mazerant / Managing Editor of AQUA SPEED Magazine

Archive photos: Przemysław Ciszek – organiser of the “Pływackie Oczko” campaign