Summer in the city? Time for an open air dip, says guest blogger Dave

What could be finer than a cooling sunset swim on a hot summer’s day in the city? The German capital Berlin has a brilliantly organised network of outdoor bathing spots, as well as miles of lakes and rivers offering a wilder swimming experience.

A short bike ride from where I live in east Berlin is the Weissensee, or white lake. Generations of Berliners have enjoyed its clear waters since the first organised swimming facilities were built in the late 19^th century.

 

And not just for leisure – over the last century and a bit, the site has hosted countless competitive swimming events, and was seen as a valuable training resource during the post-war German Democratic Republic, the old East Germany.

The lake itself forms pretty much a perfect circle around a kilometre across. A circuit takes around 45 minutes at my rather slow speed and the water quality is excellent, thanks to a natural spring which feeds the lake, and man-made protection against rainwater run-off from the surrounding streets.

It’s a strange sensation swimming in the Weissensee’s placid waters as dusk falls. Jets from the city’s Tegel airport pass overhead every few minutes, though thankfully not too low. The roar of traffic is muted by the trees fringing the lake, but ever present. And trams clanking down the high street remind you you’re still in the big city. Not exactly wild swimming, but definitely one up from doing laps of an indoor pool.  

Circuit complete, it’s time for a cold beer and a hot sausage. We are in Germany after all.

Lifeguards are on hand when it’s busy and you’re supposed to pay €4.50 to swim. In practice it’s usually free. One quirk: swimming costumes are de rigueur at the Weissensee, unlike many of Berlin’s bathing spots, where the FKK reigns supreme. That’s the Frei Körper Kultur – the, ahem, body beautiful…..