Teupitzer Seeschwimmen

Swimming with 100 Years of Tradition

When summer reaches its peak in the Schenkenländchen, the Teupitzer Seeschwimmen is part of it. The tradition dates back to 1925 — on September 2 of that year, the first organized lake swim took place on Lake Teupitz. In 2011, the event was revived by the Educational and Cultural Association BiKuT e.V. Since then, between 100 and 300 participants have swum each year over distances ranging from 400 m to 3,000 m. The swim is firmly integrated into the annual Teupitzer Seefest — a combination of a folk festival (Volksfest) and a sports competition that is unique in the Dahme-Spreewald district.

Three Distances, Three Competitions

In 2026, there will again be three distances to choose from:

• 3,000 m — the king's race, formerly the start, approx. 10:15 AM
• 1,300 m — middle distance, start around 2:00 PM
• 700 m / 400 m — short distances for families and beginners, start approx. 3:30 PM

The start and finish point for all competitions is the pier at Fontanepark in Teupitz. Fontanepark is named after the Brandenburg writer Theodor Fontane, who lovingly portrayed Teupitz and the Schenkenländchen in his "Wanderungen durch die Mark Brandenburg" (Walks through the Mark Brandenburg).

More Than Just Sport

While the swimmers are making their laps on the lake, the Teupitzer Seefest is in full swing on land: stage program, market stalls, food, and a small folk festival (Volksfest) at the harbor. The mix of sporting ambition and relaxed atmosphere is pure Teupitz — a small town that makes the best of its Brandenburg identity.

Teupitz and the Schenkenländchen Lake

Teupitz is located between Berlin and Lusatia, in the Dahme-Heideseen Nature Park. The region is called Schenkenländchen, named after the former noble family von Schenk. Lake Teupitz is part of a chain of lakes that is among the most beautiful in Brandenburg. Those who discover the town once will come back — and perhaps next time not as a spectator on the shore, but as a swimmer in the water.