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
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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.
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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