Winter Swimming World Championship
Find everything related to the Winter Swimming World Championship, it’s history, statistics and the next big event.
Winter Swimming World Championship
Find everything related to the Winter Swimming World Championship, it’s history, statistics and the next big event
About
Winter Swimming World Championship is a bi-annual international winter swimming event organised by the International Winter Swimming Association and the event host.
Since its first-held appearance in 2000, this international bi-annual event has hosted 14 championships.
With locations spread worldwide, the championships were held in Finland, the United Kingdom, Estonia, Slovenia, Latvia, and more, welcoming hundreds of winter swimmers from all corners of the world.
Join us in celebrating the thrill and camaraderie of winter swimming on a global stage. Explore the history of previous championships and stay on the lookout for updates on the next big event.
World championship history
Helsinki, Finland
2000
500 participants
Jyvaskyla, Finland
2001
700 participants
Kajaani, Finland
2002
650 participants
Muonio, Finland
2004
300 participants
Oulu, Finland
2006
980 participants
London, United Kingdom
2008
680 participants
Bled, Slovenia
2010
790 participants
Jurmala, Latvia
2012
1129 participants
Rovaniemi, Finland
2014
1244 participants
Tyumen, Russia
2016
1275 participants
Tallinn, Estonia
2018
1385 participants
Bled, Slovenia
2020
1086 participants
Bled, Slovenia
2023
890 participants
Tallinn, Estonia
2024
1405 participants
Oulu, Finland
2026
… participants
Looking for more winter swimming fun?
Visit our events page and pick your next cold water swimming adventure.
Winter Swimming World Championship 2026
Excited for the next big event in winter swimming? Registration for WSWC 2026 is already open.
After 20 years, the championship returns to Oulu, Finland.
From Mar 2 to 8, 2026, the cold and clear waters of Finland will be waiting for you.