YMKA

Cold Water Swimming · Zug

Умка

Who We Are

A loose gathering of cold water enthusiasts in Zug. No membership, no fees, no formalities — just a WhatsApp group and a shared appreciation for the bracing waters of the Zugersee.

We swim when the lake calls and the schedule permits. All are welcome who don't mind the cold.

Where We Swim

Männerbadi
The historic lakeside bath in Zug — our home waters
Seeliken
When we seek quieter shores on the Zugersee

The 15-to-15 Challenge
Our yearly ritual begins when the Zugersee drops to 15°C in autumn, continues through the 4–5°C depths of winter, and ends when the water climbs back to 15°C in spring.

The Name

Origin

YMKA is the latinized form of Умка — the polar bear cub from the beloved 1969 Soviet cartoon, searching the Arctic ice for his mother. Like him, we find joy in cold waters.

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