The 7 km Backwaterman has been the most traditional long-distance race in Austria for 20 years.

The unique fjord landscape in the Ottenstein reservoir offers open water swimmers a pure natural experience. The reservoir is only accessible in a few places and is therefore ideal for exploring by boat, canoe and SUP.

 

To the start at the "Monkey rock"/Bootsbetrieb Ottenstein you will be transported by bus

 

The total limit for the 7 km distance is 80 participants.

 

Mandatory: Due to new official requirements, buoys are mandatory

 

Accompanying with a canoe or e boat  is for the 7 k prohibited for safety and competition reasons.

 

Event Schedule

 

Friday, June 26, 2026

 

Race Briefing:
Will take place via Facebook livestream at 5:00 PM.
Questions can be posted during the stream.
The recording will remain available anytime afterward on our official Facebook page.

 

Wetsuit Testing / Equipment Booth: 4:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Registration (14 km & 7 km only): 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Drop-off for Personal Nutrition: by 6:00 PM during registration
From 6:30 PM: Get-together with multiple-time Hall of Fame winners
(invitation sent separately)

 

Arrival: Deckerspitz

 

 

Saturday, June 27, 2026

 

Registration: 8:15 AM – 9:15 AM
Shuttle departure: 9:30 AM
Start: approx. 10:15 AM

 

Note: Transport to the start will be provided by shuttle bus.

 

Race Start: approx. 10:15 AM at Gemeindebucht Peygarten
Mass start for all participants.

 

Finish line closes: 1:15 PM

 

 

Timing Info:

 

Timing will be done without chips, using a smartphone app.
Important: The number on your swim cap must be clearly visible.

 

 

Awards Ceremony:

 

Everyone is a winner and will receive a trophy during the ceremony.
Overall Awards Ceremony: approx. 1:30 PM at Deckerspitz

 

 

Course Orientation:

 

To help with navigation, buoys and land-based markers will be placed at key points along the course.

 

 

Wetsuit Policy:

 

Wetsuits are not allowed if the water temperature is 25°C or higher.
Jammers (technical swimwear) are allowed.

 

 

Entry Fees

 

Registration Date	Fee
until Dec 31	€75
until March 15	€85
until May 30	€95
until June 27	€105

 

Late registration on-site: +€10 fee

 

Combo Ticket (Sat & Sun – one event per day): –€10
Discount will be refunded at on-site registration.

 

Special Offers:

 

• All Hall of Fame winners receive a 21% discount code
• 10-time participants receive a free race entry
  (Please contact: office@openwaterserie.com)

 

 

Optional Add-On:

 

For €20, you can pre-order an exclusive Backwaterman cult T-shirt – limited edition
(available in your selected size during registration).

 

 

Included with Registration:

 

• Swim cap
• Starter bag
• Finisher trophy
• Finisher gift
• Water safety support
• Timing service
• Finish line refreshments
• Medical support
• Shuttle service
• Parking
• On-course feed station (approx. km 3.5 – Teufelsfelsen)

 

 

Important:

Registration opens November 1, 2025