International Winter Swimming Festival Argentina

Matías Ola's International Winter Swimming Festival Argentina (Festival Internacional de Natación de Invierno en Argentina) is a 3-race cold-water winter swimming event in Argentina, organized Matías Ola. The events are held in various locations throughout Argentina with 60 swimmers from 25 countries participating in 1-10 August 2014 and 18-25 July 2015. It was nominated for the 2014 World Open Water Swimming Performance of the Year.

Locations

Puerto Madero in Buenos Aires (expected water temperature is 3-5ºC)
Lago Potrerillos in Mendoza
El Calafate in Santa Cruz at the International Festival Perito Moreno Glacier (where the expected water temperatures will vary between 0-2ºC).

Río de la Plata from Uruguay to Argentina

Athletes

Athletes from 25 countries including England, South Africa, Estonia, Latvia, Ireland, Chile, Argentina, and Australia participate.

2014 World Open Water Swimming Performance of the Year Nomination

"The crème-de-la-crème of the world’s fittest and finest ice swimmers showed up for the inaugural International Winter Swimming Festival, spread out among 3 scenic locations around Argentina. Host and organizer Matías Ola rolled the red carpet for the veteran ice swimmers from England, Ireland, South Africa, Estonia, Latvia, Chile, Argentina and Australia. The 3-event cold-water extravaganza was the first of its kind in the Americas, where the series showcased some the world’s best extreme athletes in Puerto Madero in Buenos Aires, Lago Potrerillos in Mendoza, and El Calafate who were surrounded by glaciers and immersed in water between 0-5ºC. For expanding the global community of ice swimmers to South America and making it a year-round aquatic discipline, for its gracious hospitality of the international community, for Matías Ola’s selection of stunningly picturesque venues to showcase the sport, the International Winter Swimming Festival Argentina is a worthy nominee for the 2014 World Open Water Swimming Performance of the Year."

2014 World Open Water Swimming Performance of the Year Nominees

1. Beyond Avalon by Dan Henry, Dave Speier, William Miller, Steve Miller, Lee Grove, Dana Selles, Mark Zambon, Penny Nagel, Chris Gibson, Jon Rodley, Jonathan Hands, Nick Jeffery, Terry Hirt (U.S.A.)
2. Curaçao Channel Crossing by Niko Kluyver, André Nottelman, Erwin Ruijsink (Curaçao)
3. Cyprus Israel Swim by Udi Erell, Doron Amosi, Ben Enosh, Ori Sela, Oded Rahav, Luc Chetboun (Israel)
4. Diomede Islands Swim by Alexandr Brylin and Grigorii Prokopchuk (Russia)
5. English Channel Crossing by Cyril Baldock (Australia)
6. Great Lake Adventure by Vicki Keith, Abi Tripp, Nick Streicher, Michelle Sempowski, Natasha Dobson, Harley Bolton, Natalie Lambert, Jenna Lambert (Canada)
7. International Winter Swimming Festival Argentina by Matías Ola (Argentina)
8. Lake Ontario Crossing by Trinity Arsenault (Canada)
9. Madagascar Swim by Thane Guy Williams and Jonno Proudfoot (South Africa)
10. Manhattan Island Marathon Swim by Kristian Rutford (U.S.A.)
11. Mallorca 360° Circumnavigation Swim by Richard Krugel (South Africa)
12. Monterey Bay Crossing by Patti Bauernfeind (U.S.A.)
13. Prison Island Swims by Jacques Tuset (France)
14. Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming by Charlotte Samuels (U.S.A.)
15. U.S. Lifeguarding Champions by Monmouth County Lifeguards (U.S.A.)