Current Information Backwaterman Open Water, 25^th of June

General Info:

• Support for the SwimRun on Sunday still needed, please feel free to contact me.
• Weather: summery and warm, Saturday 14-26°C, Sunday 16-28°C
• Water Temperature: will follow Wednesday evening
• Location: Attention NEW: Deckerspitz GPS, turn off the main road to Zwettl towards Miterreith, in the town, there will be a sign at the bus station to turn right and follow the green sign for Deckerspitz until you reach the parking lot.
• Race Briefing: General info via Facebook on Friday at 17:00, it can be downloaded afterwards, as well as the specific info 15 minutes before each start.
• Wetsuits: Will likely be decided on Saturday morning. It can vary after the events. Jammers (up to the ankle) are definitely allowed, possibly short-sleeve wetsuits, long-sleeve wetsuits would likely be excluded as of today.
• Own Supplies: Can only be handed in on Friday during registration until 19:00.
• Buoy Requirement: For all events, you must have a buoy. At the MAKO stand, you can rent one for 10 Euros, which will be refunded if you buy it.
• Registration Location: Directly at the entrance to the Food Village, it will be marked.
• Registration Times: See attached diffently according to distances
• Parking: Attention, due to the bus parking space needs, Parking Lot 1 on Saturday until 9:30 can only be used along the edge, and you will be directed to Parking Lot 2.
• Toilets: Located at the edge of Parking Lot 1.
• Ride Sharing: We’re still looking for carpooling for 2 participants from Vienna or for helpers from Linz. Please feel free to contact me.
• Clothing Deposit: Available at the MAKO stand.
• Timing: Will be done via app, meaning the race number must be visible on the front of the cap, and you are required to wear the provided swim caps in different colors for each course.
• Aid Stations for Long Distances: At km 3.5 at the Devil's Rock, offering Iso, Water, Cola, Bananas. For the 7 km, there will also be an aid station at the turnaround point.
• Finisher Refreshments: Ströck pastries, spreads, Iso, Cola.
• General Refreshments: A food truck will be on-site offering small meals and various items with local products.
• Finish Line: The boundary between water and land.
• Return to Vienna: Attention, the high bridge is one-way only from Vienna to Zwettl, diversion via Zwettl, please plan 10 more minutes.

Attention 14 km:

• Self-support with a canoe is unofficially possible after the first 1.5 km loop at Deckerspitz.
• The turnaround point is located in the Ottenstein Arena, swimming straight ahead, to the right of the boat dock and camping site (no boat operations). We will be there with a boat. Attention, from around 10:30, watch for the first swimmers coming towards you around the turnaround point.
• Cut-Off Time: For safety reasons, the course is open for a maximum of 6 hours, meaning there is a cut-off time of 4.5 hours at the last aid station at the Devil’s Rock.
• Course Marking: The route will be marked with small yellow buoys. Attention: these only indicate the direction and are not placed exactly on the peninsulas.

Special Information for 7 km:

• You will be taken by bus to the start in Peygarten. You will walk about 200 m downhill to the start area. There, you will drop off the clothing bag, which you will find again in the finish area. Please label with your number.
• You will swim towards Zwettl for the first time. Avoid the current, which can be especially strong near the rocks.
• For safety and regulatory reasons, we reserve the right to remove swimmers from the race who clearly indicate they will exceed the maximum swim time of 3:15 hours.

Turning point for 14 k view from the last 500 m, on the righthand side of the boats in the bay

 20th Backwaterman Open Water

27th/28th June 2025

The natural beauty unfolds in the fjord-like waterways of the Ottensteiner Reservoir, lined with numerous bends and twists, waiting to be circumnavigated by swimmers.

Orientation becomes a fascinating part of this mystical experience. Swimming in the fjord-like reservoir is simply unique.

In 2025, you can expect some exciting changes.

Here are the updates that apply to all routes:

1. New Location: Deckerspitz. Due to the increased tourist traffic around the Ottenstein boat operation, we are moving the swim event to a quieter part of the reservoir, directly to the largest bathing meadow at Deckerspitz (near Mitterreith/Zwettl).
2. The entire event at one location: Headquarters, registration, start/finish, catering, and get-together all in one place.
3. No shuttle needed - Short distances (only the 7 km will be shuttled by bus).
4. Same prices as 2025 thanks to the new infrastructure.
5. More space for supporters and for enjoying the event afterward.
6. Buoy requirement for all distances in Open Water to meet safety standards.
7. The 14 km route will again be without mandatory e-boat support, allowing even more swimmers to participate in this challenging distance. Optional support after 500 m with a canoe or SUP is unofficially possible.
8. More space for supporters and for athletes enjoying the event aferwards

Dive into the renewed swimming experience and enjoy the untouched nature of the Ottensteiner Reservoir!

Arrival

Saturday 28th June 2025