Swimming spectacle in Mainz: Brave divers welcome the New Year!

On New Year's Eve morning on December 31, 2024, the Rhine in Mainz was transformed into an impressive setting for the traditional fire brigade swim-off, which took place for the 51st time this year. At temperatures around freezing point, around 200 brave swimmers dared to jump into the 13°C current. Mayor Nino Haase gave the starting signal promptly at 10 a.m. and mingled with the participants, some of whom covered the distance of around half a kilometer, some creatively dressed up and equipped with floating utensils. Despite the circumstances that the fireboat was not available as a launch ramp and the route had to be shortened, the fun remained unbroken fireworld.at reported.

Rescue and competition in focus

The rescue and safety precautions were also of the utmost importance this year: numerous lifeboats secured the route, because swimming in the Rhine without appropriate preparation can be life-threatening. Participants from various fire departments, including Aschaffenburg, Kaiserslautern and Wiesbaden, as well as riot police and Bundeswehr units, helped to highlight the special task of the fire department - water rescue. The event not only showed the courage of the swimmers, but also the sense of community of the various rescue services, who together want to point out the importance of water rescue zeit.de noted.

In addition to these exciting swimming activities, the event is also dedicated to a good cause. This year, the proceeds from the accompanying fundraising campaign will go to the “ Frühstart e.V. ” association. Mainz, which is committed to caring for premature and sick newborns. This also supports care in the neonatal intensive care unit at Mainz University Medical Center, which underlines the importance of the event beyond the spectacle. After last year's cancellation due to flooding, this year's swim-off was a complete success and attracted both swimmers and spectators to the banks of the Rhine.