Last week I completed the inaugural Hydroman swim in Most, Czech Republic.

Open Water Swimming Events are Stepping Up

Over the last few years I’ve tackled numerous open water swimming events in the UK and Central Europe, growing accustomed to dark peat-stained waters where visibility ends before my outstretched hand.

So when I first heard about Hydroman, set in the crystal-clear waters of a flooded former quarry in northern Bohemia, I was interested.

Organised by V Aquatics, a highly-regarded Prague-based swimming academy, the event promised a unique experience. Not having competed in an open water race for more than a year, I was also keen to discover whether the rising popularity of open water swimming is elevating the quality of these kinds of events.

The open water races I’ve atte

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