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After ten years, the Allianz Balaton Bay Cross Swim will be held again on June 14 between Tihany and Balatonfüred (both along the northern shore of Lake Balaton), the organizer of the program announced at a press conference in Balatonfüred on Wednesday.
Szabolcs Fodor said that in case of unfavorable weather conditions, the event would be held on June 15 or 22, or August 30 or 31.
The distance is three kilometers, and besides classic swimming, it can also be covered on a stand-up paddle board (SUP).
Participants will be taken by boat from Balatonfüred to Tihany. The course will be marked out by a line of sailing boats, with swimmers on the left and SUPs on the right. The organizers have a staff of around 200 people and 70 escort boats will ensure safety, Fodor added.
Lake Balaton with the Benedictine Abbey of Tihany in the distance. Photo: Pixabay
The organizer said that
a decision on whether to hold the event, for which the optimum water temperature is 22 degrees Celsius, would be made on June 12.
He also noted that the administration of the event would be handled in Balatonfüred, with the first boat leaving for Tihany at 8 a.m. and every 45 minutes thereafter. The first swimmers and SUP riders will be allowed to start at 9 a.m.
András Holczer, Deputy Mayor of Balatonfüred, stressed that thousands of participants are expected.
Attila Czene, Olympic champion swimmer and president of the Hungarian Leisure Sports Association, drew attention to the upcoming Challenge Day (May 28), a movement that started in 1982, in two Canadian towns. He said it was important to focus on company sport and health at work in the context of the Challenge Day. He emphasized that anyone who wants to complete the bay crossing should find a helper who can get them ready for the swimming event.
Via MTI, Featured image: Pixabay