Mezi mosty

In August 1968, the residents of České Budějovice faced the sudden arrival of foreign military forces, their radio station targeted for control. In an act of defiance that became local lore, they hung a 'Kindergarten' sign on the building to confuse the occupying soldiers, while announcers continued their broadcast from the safety of the South Bohemian Theatre. Decades later, the waters of the Vltava and Malše rivers carry a different energy during the Mezi mosty race. As you stroke through the confluence, the historical weight of the city is impossible to miss. While the 1945 US bombing raids left scars on the urban fabric, the current landscape has been reclaimed by the flow of these rivers, which historically fed the ornate Samson Fountain via an intricate engineering system.

Navigating the confluence

Swimming from Sokol Island—a nine-hectare landmass sitting at the heart of the river meeting point—you gain a unique perspective on the city's vertical landmarks. The 72-meter Black Tower, completed in 1577, looms above the riverbanks. Its height served as a critical guard post for centuries, and today it acts as your primary navigation marker while you track your distance. The race offers 1000m, 3000m, and 5000m distances, allowing for a variety of intensities within this controlled river environment. Organized by TJ Koh-i-noor, the event is set for August 8, 2026, and draws swimmers into the very center of the South Bohemian regional capital. The logistics of the race are managed with professional oversight from the local water rescue services, ensuring that the currents and river traffic remain predictable for all participants throughout the day.