Langstrecken Schwimmen München

When the author Waldemar Bonsels resided in Oberschleißheim in 1912, the surrounding landscape was a vastly different expanse of the Dachauer Moos, a vast wetland where the air was thick with the scent of marshland and wild peat. Today, the modern swimmer enters these same waters, yet the environment has been transformed into the highly precise, controlled lane of the Regattastrecke Oberschleißheim. This man-made channel, while lacking the wild, unpredictable currents of the original moor, provides a perfectly straight, unobstructed corridor for testing endurance. The history of the site is anchored in the sky rather than the water; as you breathe to the side during your stroke, you are tracing the flight paths of the Royal Bavarian Flying Corps, whose maintenance hangars have stood guard over the area since 1912. It is a surreal juxtaposition to pull through the water while the ghosts of 20th-century aviation, and the memory of artists like Paul Klee—who served his military duty at this very airfield—hover over the horizon.

The landscape from the water

Beyond the industrial precision of the course, the periphery reveals the deep history of the Bavarian plains. On clear stretches, you may catch a glimpse of the St. Martin Church in Mallertshofen, a stone structure dating back to the first half of the 13th century. This Romanesque landmark serves as a silent witness to the region’s long-standing connection to the land, standing in sharp contrast to the nearby modern research facilities of the Helmholtz Zentrum. The ground beneath the surface is equally laden with antiquity; the Parksiedlung area nearby has yielded burial mounds from the Hallstatt period, and local finds like the bronze needle documented by Otto Hupp suggest that this basin has been a focal point for human activity for millennia.

Race day logistics

Organized by Active Concepts, the event offers both a 1000m and a 4000m distance, catering to those who prefer a sprint and those who seek to measure themselves against the long, straight stretches of the regatta course. The competition is held annually in late June, with registration opening on-site for those who arrive early. While the water is contained, it is subject to the seasonal temperature fluctuations typical of high-latitude Bavarian lakes; participants often utilize neoprene to manage the thermal toll of long-distance efforts. You will find the start line buzzing with activity by 11:00 AM, following the collection of race packets which begins at 9:00 AM.