Complete boat ban on the Danube this weekend due to sports event
Boating will be completely prohibited this Saturday on the Szentendre branch of the Danube, stretching from Postás Beach to Budakalász. From 9 a.m. to 12 noon, no watercraft will be permitted to enter or pass through the area. The reason: hundreds of swimmers will be taking the plunge as part of the Open Water Tournament (OWT), swimming a 5.29-kilometre course.
Now in its fifth year, the Hungarian Open Water Swimming Championship (Open Water Tournament, OWT) continues its mission in 2025 to allow participants to explore some of Hungary’s most breathtaking landscapes—from the water. This year’s edition promises an especially unique experience. The Danube has long captured the imagination of swimmers, and such opportunities for amateur athletes to take on its current are rare.
“Our motto is: don’t strain—explore! Even beginners should have no trouble completing the 5.29-kilometre distance, as the current flows at 4–5 km/h. That means you could simply float on your back, take in the scenery, and still finish in under an hour. Professionals, of course, can go much faster. The water temperature will be a pleasant 23°C (73°F),” said Balázs Mezős, founder and lead organiser of OWT.
In addition to the police-enforced water closure between 9 a.m. and 12 noon, safety will be ensured by seven escort boats and a 30-member rescue team. The OWT is organised on a non-profit basis, with all registration fees covering event costs and rescue operations.
István “Kokó” Kovács, an Olympic champion boxer and seasoned OWT participant, was also involved in this year’s test swims. “Even though I’m not a fan of swimming, I sign up every time because this feels more like fun than an athletic feat. Swimming from Szentendre to Budakalász is a blast—especially when 500 of you dive in together. It becomes a real community experience,” he said.
The swim begins at Postás Beach in Szentendre and ends in Budakalász at the legendary “Ebihal” snack bar, where owner Jani “Bá” will be waiting to greet everyone with a warm smile and open-faced sandwiches.
tAfter the Danube swim, the OWT continues on 23 August at Kotró Lake in Gyékényes. Registration is available at www.openwatertournament.hu.
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