International Sund Swimming Stralsund

Swimming from Rügen to Stralsund

When a thousand swimmers enter the Strelasund from the beach of the Rügen municipality of Altefähr on the first Saturday in July, one of Northern Germany's most traditional sporting events begins. The International Sund Swimming covers about 2,300 meters of open water to the Hanseatic city of Stralsund – Germany's oldest and most significant long-distance swim, with a history dating back to 1966.

Sporting Challenge in Open Water

The Strelasund connects the Baltic Sea with the Bodden of Greifswald and separates the island of Rügen from the mainland. Currents, wind, and water temperature make the crossing a real sporting task that appeals to ambitious open-water swimmers as well as recreational athletes. Accompanying boats from the DLRG secure the field along the entire route.

• Main race over approx. 2,300 meters, start at 11:00 AM
• Children's Sund Swim over a shorter distance of about 800 meters
• Limited number of participants – starting places are extremely sought after

Organizers and Tradition

The organizer is the DLRG local group Stralsund e.V., which organizes the swim with great volunteer effort. For the Hanseatic city in the Vorpommern-Rügen district, the Sund Swim is a summer highlight: numerous spectators follow the arrival of the swimmers on the Stralsund shore.

Stralsund on the Strelasund

The UNESCO World Heritage Hanseatic city of Stralsund is the gateway to the island of Rügen and offers an attractive summer program around the Sund Swim. The event uniquely combines sport, maritime scenery, and Hanseatic atmosphere.