WaterTrek Dragør

WaterTrek Dragør takes place annually in early August off the coast of Kastrup, utilizing the sheltered waters of the Øresund strait. The event offers multiple distances for open-water swimmers, with the race course positioned along the Kastrup Strandpark coastline. This stretch of water, characterized by its accessibility and proximity to the airport infrastructure, serves as a standard venue for the Copenwater series. Swimmers should prepare for a salt-water environment with variable currents dictated by the narrow passage between Denmark and Sweden, a condition shared by those training for the more demanding SwimÖresund held just two weeks later in the same waterway.

Landmarks from the water

The visual navigation during the swim is defined by the juxtaposition of modern architecture and historical reclamation. As you sight your line, the distinct silhouette of the National Aquarium Denmark dominates the horizon with its vortex-inspired design, marking the northern boundary of the swimming area. Moving southward, the route passes the Kastrup Strandpark, an expanse of reclaimed land that physically altered the original coastline to integrate with the local marina. Within this park, the 'De fire Vinde' sculpture by Henrik Starcke provides a fixed point; the four bronze figures reaching toward the horizon have served as an orientation landmark since 1960, even appearing as a backdrop in classic Danish cinema. Further inland, the rococo façade of the Kastrup manor house, constructed by Jacob Fortling in the mid-18th century, offers a sharp stylistic contrast to the Functionalist lines of the relocated Vilhelm Lauritzen Terminal, which remains visible from the water as a relic of 1930s aviation design. The event utilizes a beach start, and the logistical setup relies on local municipal infrastructure to manage the transition from the park facilities to the water's edge.