Organisers of the beloved Balaton Cross-Swim have announced a postponement of this year’s event due to a weekend forecast predicting stormy and unstable conditions across the region. The decision was made in consultation with the Balaton Water Police Department, following a weather warning issued by the HungaroMet observatory in Siófok.

“The forecast remains highly unpredictable, with a strong likelihood of thunderstorms on both Saturday and Sunday,” organisers said in a public statement.

Originally scheduled for 26 July, the 5.2-kilometre open-water swim—along with its paddleboarding version—has now been tentatively moved to Saturday, 9 August. However, organisers emphasise that the event’s go-ahead will depend on updated weather information, with a final call expected on the Thursday before.

Recognised as one of Hungary’s most iconic mass-participation sports events, the Balaton Cross-Swim typically draws thousands of swimmers—both amateur enthusiasts and elite athletes—to the course between Révfülöp and Balatonboglár.

For most recreational swimmers, the crossing takes about 2 hours and 50 minutes. On the competitive front, the course records remain impressive: Olympic silver medallist Kristóf Rasovszky completed it in just 57 minutes in 2020, while London 2012 Olympic champion Éva Risztov holds the women’s record, set in 2016, with a time of 1 hour and 58 seconds.

Last year’s event was won by Imre Barabás and Máté Hartmann, two young men who emerged as the fastest swimmers of the day. Among the diverse crowd of participants were well-known public figures, including Hungarian astronaut Tibor Kapu, generation researcher Krisztián Steigervald, and celebrities Ferenc Kozáry and Máté Járai.

Despite the delay, anticipation remains high for what continues to be a celebrated summer tradition on Hungary’s largest lake.

Earlier:

Breaking all records, nearly 13,000 people have registered for this year’s Balaton Swim. Four weeks before the start, all distances of the 43rd LIDL Balaton Swim have reached their capacity limits.

The classic 5.2 km distance between Révfülöp (northern shore) and Balatonboglár and the SUP crossing were already full, and now the last places for the 2.6 km half-distance have also been filled, according to the announcement by the organizer Budapest Sportiroda (BSI).

This sets a new record, and if the weather is favorable, an unprecedented number of participants will take part in Europe’s largest open water swimming event on July 26.

“This record number is further proof of what we have long felt: the Balaton Swim has become a true Hungarian tradition. It is an event where generations swim together, where the pride of achievement is passed down from father to son, from mother to daughter,” said Árpád Kocsis, managing director of BSI, in the announcement.

The Balaton Swim has a 45-year history and is now not only one of Hungary’s oldest recreational sporting events, but also Europe’s largest open water swimming event.

The first event in 1979 had only 365 participants, but today that number has grown many times over, the press release emphasized. The course record for men is held by Olympic champion Kristóf Rasovszky with a time of 57 minutes (2020), while Olympic champion Éva Risztov is the record holder for women with a time of 60 minutes and 58 seconds (2016).

The organizers are once again paying special attention to safety this year, with the backbone of the safety measures being a floating corridor consisting of over 150 sailboats, providing rest and handhold opportunities every 40-50 meters.

In addition, lifeguards, police motorboats and three hospital boats will be on standby on the water.

The swim will only take place in ideal weather conditions, with the final decision being announced two days before the event. If weather conditions are favorable, the swim will start from Révfülöp between 7:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 26.

More: 
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