WÖRTHERSEE SWIM 2026
Austria
The biggest swimming adventure in the Alps
04. - 05.09.2026
Venue: Klagenfurt Strandbad Maiernigg
Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Lake Wörthersee, our events at Strandbad Maiernigg combine top-tier sports action with the serene beauty of Klagenfurt’s southern lakeside.
Whether you're an athlete chasing the thrill of competition or a spectator soaking in the energy and excitement, our events promise unforgettable moments in a world-class setting.
📍 Venue
Strandbad Maiernigg
Wörthersee-Süduferstraße 116
9020 Klagenfurt am Wörthersee
Join us for an extraordinary celebration of sports, community, and the stunning natural beauty of Lake Wörthersee. Stay connected for updates on upcoming events, schedules, and more!
Link: www.strandbad-maiernigg.at
About Lake Wörthersee
Lake Wörthersee is the largest lake of Carinthia and because of its climatic location, it is one of the warmest alpine lakes, the water temperature reaching up to 25° Celcius in the summer, and sometimes even more.
Its length is 16.5 Km in an East to West direction, embedded in the Klagenfurter Basin. The city of Klagenfurt, with its historic city center, lies approximatly 4 Km East of Lake Wörthersee, while Krumpendorf and Pörtschach are situated on the Northern shore of the lake and the city of Velden is located on the West end of Lake Wörthersee.
The Lake Wörthersee-Swimming Meet is one of the biggest open-water competitions with a mass start and four distances! The aim of the event is to invite open-water swimmers from all over the world to experience sports and team spirit, but also, simply to enjoy being together and to achieve top sports performances in the midst of the wonderful nature in the region of Wörthersee!
How to get there
- From the North via Salzburg and the Tauernautobahn (A10/A2)
- From the East via Vienna and Graz on the Südautobahn (A2)
- From the South via Ljubljana and the Loiblpass (B91)
- Or the Karawankenautobahn and the Südautobahn (A11/A2) Via Udine (A2)
With the AUSTRIAN FEDERAL RAILWAYS (OEBB) or with the GERMAN RAILWAYS (DBB)
www.oebb.at
www.bahn.de
Distances / Rules
600 m Junior:
This is an open water swim for children and teenagers who already have swimming experience. The course is swum counterclockwise in a circle. The course is marked with regatta buoys; the distance between the buoys is 350 m.Schedule: The start is at 10:00 a.m. at the Maiernigg lido in Klagenfurt.
In addition to the age groups, participants can choose whether to participate with or without a wetsuit.
Registration/handover of starter packs must be completed one hour before the start!
Start and finish: Klagenfurt
1000 m Butterfly:
A challenge for ambitious open water swimmers who want to complete the 1000 m butterfly stroke. An exceptionally beautiful and difficult distance. The course is swum counterclockwise in a circle. The course is marked with regatta buoys; the distance between the buoys is 350 m.The start is at 4:00 PM at the Maiernigg lido in Klagenfurt.
In addition to the age groups, participants can choose between participating with or without a wetsuit.
Registration/handover of starter packs is possible up to one hour before the start!
Start and finish: Klagenfurt
3x1000 m Relay:
Team spirit and fun are paramount when tackling this swim distance! The first two swimmers change over in the starting area near the starting ramp. Only the last swimmer crosses the finish line. The route is swum counterclockwise in a circle. The course is marked with regatta buoys; the distance between the buoys is 350 m.Schedule: The start is at 4:30 p.m. at the Maiernigg lido in Klagenfurt.
In addition to the age groups, participants can choose whether to participate with or without a wetsuit.
Registration/handover of starter packs is possible up to one hour before the start!
Start and finish: Klagenfurt
1500 m Sprint:
A distance for all swimmers! Here, everyone can demonstrate their strength in open water swimming! The route is swum counterclockwise in a circle. The course is marked with regatta buoys; the distance between the buoys is 350 m.Schedule: The start is at 3 p.m. at the Maiernigg lido in Klagenfurt.
In addition to the age groups, participants must choose whether to participate with or without a wetsuit.
Registration/handover of starter packs is possible up to one hour before the start!
Start and finish: Klagenfurt
3 km Classic:
Open water swimmers and triathletes can test their strength here. The route is swum counterclockwise in a circle. The course is marked with regatta buoys; the distance between the buoys is 350 m.Schedule: The start is at 1:30 p.m. at the Maiernigg lido in Klagenfurt. The time limit is two hours.
In addition to the age groups, participants can choose between participation with or without a wetsuit.
Registration/handover of starter packs up to one hour before the start!
Start and finish: Klagenfurt
5 km Semi-Olympic Distance:
This competition for experienced open water swimmers takes you through one of the most beautiful bays of Lake Woerthersee. The route is swum counterclockwise in a circle. The course is marked with regatta buoys; the distance between the buoys is 350 m.Schedule: The start is at 11:00 a.m. at the Maiernigg lido in Klagenfurt. The time limit is three hours.
In addition to the age groups, participants can choose between participating with or without a wetsuit.
Registration/handover of starter packs is available up to one hour before the start!
Start and finish: Klagenfurt
10 km Olympic Distance:
The route runs in a circle and follows the 5 km distance, but is completed twice. The route is swum counterclockwise. There is an aid station after 6 km on a floating platform, marked by a regatta buoy. Isotonic drinks, sports jelly, and sports bars are available. The course is marked with regatta buoys; the distance between the buoys is 350 m.Schedule: The start is at 11 a.m. at the Maiernigg lido in Klagenfurt. The time limit is four hours.
In addition to the age groups, participants can choose between participating with or without a wetsuit.
Registration/handover of starter packs must be made up to one hour before the start!
Start and finish: Klagenfurt
17 km Woerthersee-Swim:
The open water distance for experienced swimmers who want to conquer Lake Wörthersee! The 17 km distance is aimed at experienced open water swimmers who want to test their strength. The difficulty level is very high; not only swimming, but also orientation in the water must be mastered. Endurance and mental strength are also required. The swimmers must swim from aid station to aid station. The course runs along the shore, and the swimmer group is supported and secured by several support boats. Isotonic drinks, sports jelly, sports bars, and bananas are provided on the aid boats.Schedule: At 7 a.m., the swimmers are taken by bus from the Maiernigg lido to the start in Velden. The start is at 8 a.m. in Velden.
The first aid station is located on a boat after four kilometers.
The second aid station is located after 8 kilometers, also on a boat.
The third aid station is located after 12 kilometers in Reifnitz, next to the public Wörthersee boat landing.
There, there is a light barrier for the first time measurement. To do this, participants must briefly exit the water, pass the light barrier, then refuel at the aid station, and continue swimming. This aid station must be reached or passed.
Participants who do not comply will be automatically disqualified.
The fourth and final aid station is located on a boat after 15 km.
The remaining course is marked with regatta buoys every 350 meters. The finish is at the Maiernigg lido in Klagenfurt.
In addition to the age groups, participants can choose whether to compete with or without a wetsuit.
Registration/hand-in of starter packs 1 day before the start!
Start: Velden am Wörthersee / Schlosshotel
Finish: Klagenfurt.
Limited number of starting places!
34 km Woerthersee-No Limit:
The distance for extreme marathon swimmers!The ultimate endurance test!
Everyone who takes on this challenge will be accompanied by a boat that adapts to the swimmers' pace. Bringing a companion from the swimmer's team on this boat is permitted and encouraged. Food prepared by the swimmer will be carried on the boat. The distance of the course can vary between 34 km and 36 km. Participants are not allowed to touch the boat while swimming. Food breaks are only allowed in the water. The 34 km Woerthersee-No Limit - 2-person relay is designed for two swimmers. Changeovers can only take place in the water. The swimmer on a break stays on the support boat. The swimmer in the water must swim for at least one hour (breaks in the water are permitted) before being replaced.
Schedule: The 34 km Woerthersee No-Limit distance starts at 7:00 a.m. at the Maiernigg lido in Klagenfurt.
The turnaround point is at the Schlosshotel Velden in Velden am Wörthersee. There (at the Schlosshotel Velden), the swimmer's companion must take photographs to later prove that they have swum to this point. Failure to do so will disqualify the participant.
The time limit is 12 hours. However, in exceptional cases—provided there is a realistic chance of completing the swim—the time limit will be extended by one hour.
The entry fee includes, among other things, the support boat, drivers, fuel, event insurance, on-water safety, official timekeeping, the event starter pack, T-shirts, the Finnish medal and the Finnish trophy.
In addition to the age groups, participants must choose between participating with or without a wetsuit.
Registration deadline / briefing / handover of starter packs: One day before the event.
Start: Klagenfurt, turnaround point: Schlosshotel Velden am Wörthersee.
Finish: Klagenfurt.
Limited number of starting places!
Important:
The organizer does not assume any responsibility or liability in the event of storms, illness, or theft. The organizer also rejects any liability towards spectators or other persons.It must be informed that in the event of bad weather (storm, thunderstorm, heavy rain) the event will be held with changed start times or changed swimming routes and may even have to be broken off or canceled at short notice. In this case entry fees cannot be refunded.
A swimming buoy is mandatory for all distances offered (except 1000 m butterfly). The distances 17 km and 34 km may only be swum in freestyle (crawl)!
Rewards
- Course record 34 k: 400 € Voucher | Time: 9 h 37 min
- Course record 17 k: 250 € Voucher | Time: 3 h 57 min
- Course record 10 k: 150 € Voucher | Time: 1 h 55 min 35 sec
- Course record 5 k: 100 € Voucher | Time: 1 h 0 min 42 sec
- Course record 3k: 50 € Voucher | Time: 0 h 38 min 52 sec
The fastest male and female swimmer over the 17km distance will receive a free entry package to the Australian U24 Marathon Swimming Competition.
The fastest and first-ranked swimmers for the distances 17 k / 10 k / 5 k / 3 k receive a sports package, sponsored by the company Woerthersee-Swim, worth €100.
Age groups
- Age 16-30 Sports
- Age 31-50 Elite
- Age 51plus Masters
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* The participants between 16 and 18 years of age also need a written declaration of consent from their legal guardian.
The competitions
34 km Wörthersee No Limit
from Klagenfurt to Velden
from velden to klagenfurt
Timelimit: 12h
17 km Woerthersee Swim
Velden to Klagenfurt
Timelimit: 7h
10 km Olympic Distance
Start/Finish Klagenfurt
Timelimit: 4h
5 km Semi-Olympic Distance
Start/Finish Klagenfurt
Timelimit: 3h
3 km Classic
Start/Finish Klagenfurt
Timelimit: 2h
1500 m Sprint
1000 m Butterfly
Juniors / Special Competetive Swimmers / Para Swimmer
At Strandbad Klagenfurt, Distance 600m
3 Relay (3 x 1000 m)
Get your ticket here
For each ticket sold, € 3.00 will be donated for animal welfare
-
Wörthersee Swim Ticket 2026
starting from 40,00 €
Registration fees
| 15.09.2025 | 01.03.2026 | 01.07.2026 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 34km Wörthersee No Limit Relay | 1600€ | 1850 € | 2100 € |
| 34km Wörthersee No Limit | 1300 € | 1550 € | 1800 € |
| 17km Wörthersee Swim | 260 € | 290 € | 320 € |
| 10km Olympic Distance | 140 € | 160 € | 180€ |
| 5km Semi-Olympic Distance | 100 € | 120 € | 150 € |
| 3km Classic | 80 € | 100 € | 120 € |
| 1000m Butterfly | 60 € | 70 € | 80 € |
| 1500m Sprint | 60 € | 80 € | 100 € |
| Junioren / Para Swimmer / Special Competetive Swimmers | 40 € | 50 € | 60 € |
| 3 er Stafette (3 x 1000 m) | 80 € | 100 € | 120 € |
Team Cup - Woerthersee-Swim
You train with your team, swim alone, but your points will be scored in the Team Cup for your team.
The trophy "Woerthersee Open Water Team Pokal" is awarded every year anew, with the aim of awakening Team Spirit at the Open Water Swim scene!
The registration for a team (5 to 8 persons) is calculated individually (depending on the number of participants).
Registration via Email:
Our team "Woerthersee-Swim" is already in the starting blocks and we will introduce it soon! We would be pleased, if we could introduce also further teams in the course of that!
“Woerthersee-Swim” – “No Limit”
The trophy "Woerthersee Open Water Team Pokal" is awarded every year anew, with the aim of awakening Team Spirit at the Open Water Swim scene!
The registration for a team (5 to 8 persons) is calculated individually (depending on the number of participants).
Registration via Email:
Our team "Woerthersee-Swim" is already in the starting blocks and we will introduce it soon! We would be pleased, if we could introduce also further teams in the course of that!
“Woerthersee-Swim” – “No Limit”
The following rules apply to the "Team Cup" - "Woerthersee Swim"
1. The team may consist of at least 5 to a maximum of 8 persons.
2. The score of each distance (17 km Myth, 10 km, 5 km Classic, 3 km Challenge, 3 km Relay and 1000m Sprint, is as follows:
1st place: 6 points
2nd place: 5 points
3rd place: 4 points
4th place: 3 points
5th place: 2 points
For every other participant in the Team Cup: 1 point
The points per distance are awarded only to the best of the team.
All others receive only points for participation.
3. Levels of difficulty:
1500 m Sprint: factor 1.0
03 km Challenge: factor 1.0
03 km Relay: factor 1.0
05 km Classic: factor 1.5
10 km: factor 2.0
17 km Myth: 2.5
34 km No Limit: 5
Junior Open Water Cup - Woerthersee-Swim
Distances
500mAge categories:
The following age groups will be formed for competitions within the Junior Open Water Cup:Age group C - 15 - 17 years
Age group B - 12 - 14 years
Age group A - 9 - 11 years
The "Woerthersee-Swim" event also offers:
Juniors / Special Competitive Swimmers / Para Swimmer
Deadline is the 1st of January of the year in which the appointed age is completed.
Juniors / Special Competitive Swimmers / Para Swimmer
Deadline is the 1st of January of the year in which the appointed age is completed.
Schedule day 1
Location: 9020 Klagenfurt
06:30 am
34 km No Limit09:00 am – 19:00 pm
Registration01:00 pm – 02:30 pm
Briefing Information exchange in German, English, Russian, Polish (if required) and briefing (Registration for people arriving later)03:00 pm – 04:00 pm
1500 m Sprint04:00 pm – 04:30 pm
Start for the participants from the distance 1000 m Butterfly04:30 pm – 05:30 pm
Stafette
Schedule day 2
Location: 9020 Klagenfurt
ATTENTION! In case of bad weather the swimming competitions will be postponed to Sunday!
07:00 am
Participants arrive at Strandbad.07:15 am
The participants from the distance of 17 km are brought to the launch site in Velden.08:00 am
Start for the participants from the distance 17 km in Velden.10:00 am
Start for the participants from the distance 600m Junior11:00 am
Start for the participants from the distance 5 km and 10 km13:30 pm
Start for participants for 3 km distance04:00 pm - 06:00 pm
Award ceremony on the stage. Welcoming the participants by the organizer of the Open Water Cup and the “Guest of honor”. Official conclusion of the event.
Schedule day 3
Location: 9020 Klagenfurt
ATTENTION! In case of bad weather the swimming competitions will be postponed to Sunday!
