Bodensee Openwater — Wallhausen-Überlingen

In 1525, the Sernatinger Mutiny saw the execution of peasant leaders who refused to take up arms against their own kin, leaving a scar of conflict on the history of Überlingen. Today, the town council still convenes behind a door inscribed with a stern warning to those who would defy its authority, a relic of a time when the lake was a theater of survival and power. As you begin your swim from Wallhausen, you are crossing these same waters that once provided the lifeline for an imperial fleet to defend the city against Swedish sieges during the Thirty Years' War. This deep connection between the shore and the depths defines the challenge of the Bodensee Openwater, where the legacy of past struggles meets the modern endurance of open water swimming.

The lake and the race

The course takes you across the Überlingen arm of the lake, an area where the water hides remnants of prehistoric Neolithic and Bronze Age settlements. As you navigate the 2500m or 5000m distances, the water beneath you holds the secrets of ancient wetland dwellings that once lined these banks. Upon your approach to the destination, your orientation is anchored by the massive Greth trade house. This former warehouse, with its commanding three-story hipped roof, serves as a beacon, guiding you toward the old town's waterfront. While the waters here are generally calm, the scale of the lake demands respect for its expansive nature. For those who find this crossing a compelling introduction to the region, the Bodensee Längsquerung takes place in June, offering a different perspective on the lake’s geography, while the Bodensee Openwater - Seequerung Meersburg / Konstanz presents another major aquatic challenge scheduled for 2027.

Race day experience

The event, organized by the local Bodensee Openwater team, focuses on providing a professional environment for swimmers of various levels. Your participation includes a swimming cap, and the logistical support ensures that you can focus entirely on your stroke. Away from the race, the landscape remains dotted with landmarks like the 450-year-old Burkhardslinde tree in nearby Bonndorf, a National Heritage site named for a local minnesinger. Whether you are navigating the historic waters or observing the medieval architecture of the Gunzoburg from the shoreline, the experience is framed by a rich tradition of human endurance in and around the lake.