Preview 2026 – Quo Vadis Backwaterman?
After 20 editions of Backwaterman, it’s time to reflect. The complexity of organizing events, unpredictable weather, last-minute bookings, the sponsorship situation, and especially the availability of volunteers – all combined with advancing age – are making it increasingly difficult to host a high-quality event.
Therefore, over the summer we will assess whether we can organize another Backwaterman in 2026.
A possible date would be June 26–28, 2026.
If anyone is available to help for one or two days, we would be very grateful – it would make our decision much easier. Please feel free to send us a message at office@openwaterserie.com.
We’ll share our decision at the end of the summer.
In the meantime, we wish you all a wonderful summer!
On behalf of the organizing team,
Andreas
Backwaterman 2025 is now history.
We would like to thank all participants and are happy to have seen so many successful faces.
In the coming days, we will continue to carry the positive energy with us as we complete many follow-up tasks. Photos from our
photographers will be uploaded step by step over the next few days, due to our extensive program.
We wish you continued success in your season.
On behalf of the organizing team,
Andreas
Fotos Open Water, by Bernhard Noll for your personal download
Fotos SwimRun by Bernhard Noll for your personal download
Results Open Water
Results SwimRun
Current Information - Backwaterman SwimRun
Latest water temperature: 27.6. 5 h - 23,8 degree
General Information:
We are still looking for support for the SwimRun on Sunday. Please feel free to contact me.
Weather: Summerly warm, Saturday 14-26°C, Sunday 16-28°C.
Water temperature: Latest water temperature: 27.6. 5 h - 23,8 degree
Location: Attention NEW: Deckerspitz GPS. You turn off the main road to Zwettl towards Miterreith. In the village,
there will be a sign at the bus station indicating a right turn, and then you follow the green sign for Deckerspitz until you reach the parking lot.
Race Briefing:
- General briefing via Facebook on Friday at 17:00, can be downloaded afterward.
- Specific race briefing on Saturday at 18:30, and 15 minutes before each start, there will be specific information
Wetsuit: Full wetsuits are prohibited. Short wetsuits are expected to be allowed. Please consider your personal responsibility to weigh the swimming advantages against the running disadvantages. There is a variety of equipment available, so it’s a personal choice.
Registration Location: Directly at the entrance to the Food Village, it will be labeled.
Registration Times: See the attached document.
Parking: Two large parking lots are available; you will be directed individually.
Toilets: Located at the edge of Parking Lot 1.
Clothing Drop-off: Available at the MAKO stand.
Timing: Timing will be done via an app, meaning the start number will be visible through the race bib. For the trial, this must be visible on the front of the cap.
Course Refreshments: See the map. At the refreshment points along the course, there will be ISO, water, cola, apples, and salted snacks. The same at the finish area.
Finisher Refreshments: Ströck spreads, ISO, cola,, bananas, apple
General Catering: We have a food truck on site offering small meals and various local products.
Return Trip to Vienna: Attention! The high bridge is only accessible one-way from Vienna to Zwettl. There is a detour via Zwettl, so plan for an additional 10 minutes.
Welcome to
Backwaterman
Waldviertel
"The Special One"
June 27th - 29th, 2025
Registration Open Water
Registration SwimRun
Discover the fjordlike nature and enjoy Austrian hospitability
2025 Motto: Pure Nature and Enjoyment
- Open Water and SwimRun on the same weekend
- New location at Deckerspitz - Pure nature
- Featuring the largest bathing meadow at Ottensteiner Reservoir, a unique location with short distances
- New routes for all SwimRun competitions
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- June 27th/28th, 2025: Open Water competitions with the same distances
- June 28th/29th, 2025: SwimRun with the same distances but changed routes
Arrival Deckerspitz
Your Organizing Team
Fotos Open Water von Bildbearbeitung Noll
Fotos SwimRun von Bildbearbeitung Noll
Race Video SwimRun 2024
short Race video Swimrun 2024
supported by
20 years of tradition
This is the Classic-open-water-long-distance-event with a distinctive
flair in fjordlike waters of the Ottenstein reservoir north-west of Vienna.
The Backwaterman Waldviertel is the pioneer of the long distance open water scene since 2006. Jumping from the ship to get to the start of the race is legendary.
supported by
