Copenhagen night swim: Race highlights city's 'blue spaces'
Copenhagen's port has hosted an unprecedented night swim, with hundreds of people taking part in a two-kilometre race through the city's canals.
Organisers believe that the event highlights the importance of "blue spaces" as a counterpart to green spaces.
At sunset, hundreds of swimmers entered the water, which was around 17°C (63°F), for the race through the city's historic canals. Pia Johansen, president of the Danish Swimming Federation, said the event was a "truly wonderful experience," noting that the 700 participants "could enjoy the sunset and see the lights reflected in the water" as they swam around the parliament.
Fluorescent markers illuminated the canals as participants passed the palace housing the Danish parliament. One swimmer described it as an "amazing" and "very good experience," explaining that although they swam "maybe even a bit more than two kilometres" due to the canal's winding path, the water was "very clean."
Another participant said it was "a nice experience" to see the city "from this perspective" and that the many lights made it "definitely different." Another said the event, with "lights all along the route," was "fantastic," but admitted that it was "a little scary in places," especially under the bridges where it was "so dark."
The night swim was part of an annual series of events, some competitive and others recreational, held over two days in the city's port. Copenhagen is widely known as one of the world's most environmentally friendly cities, with a strong focus on cycling.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
