Wyścig pływacki dookoła Molo im. Jacka Starościaka

The Bay of Gdańsk is a vast, semi-enclosed basin of the Baltic Sea, characterized by its varying depth that reaches up to 118 metres in its deepest points. As you enter the water for the race, you will notice the distinct, cool salinity of the Baltic, a stark contrast to the enclosed waters of inland reservoirs. The currents here are largely dictated by the wind-driven dynamics of the bay, which local swimmers monitor closely to navigate the 1200-metre loop. Under the surface, the seabed shifts from sandy shallows to deeper, darker gradients that define this stretch of the Polish coast.

Historical landmarks on the water

Swimming the course offers a unique perspective on Sopot’s architectural legacy. You will circle the Sopot Pier, an imposing wooden structure that stretches 511.5 metres into the bay, serving as a primary navigation reference. Near the northern tip of the pier, the iodine concentrations are notably higher, a quirk of the local microclimate that visitors have prized for generations. As you move along the shoreline, your eyes will catch the 1903 lighthouse, a functional navigational aid that stands as a silent sentinel over the bathing area. Further inland, the wooded landscape is dominated by the Grodzisko stronghold, a reconstructed 8th-century Slavic site that looms over the coast like a historic fortress watching the sea.

Race day and legacy

This event follows a tradition of open water swimming that has evolved over more than 25 years. The 1200-metre loop is designed to test your pace against the bay’s conditions, with wetsuits permitted for those looking for extra thermal support. The start at the beach near entry number 23 is a hub of activity, where participants prepare to navigate the same waters that once marked the border defined by the Swelinia brook—a natural boundary that, following the First World War, separated Poland from the Free City of Danzig. For those planning a longer season, it is common to combine this challenge with the III Sopocki Maraton Pływacki or the POWSA Gdańsk Bay Swim 2026, which share these Baltic waters. Beyond the competitive aspect, the area is rich with stories, from the therapeutic 'inhalation mushroom' fountain to the legacy of the Grand Hotel Sopot, a five-star symbol of interwar luxury that stands prominently on the beachfront.