Sea— Russia

X-WATERS Обними Россию

Sep 13, 2026
Last edition date
Distances: 1km and 4.7km

About the race

A unique swim that allows you to cross Russia in a single day. Participants swim 4.7 km across the Eastern Bosphorus Strait in Vladivostok at dawn, then take a flight to Kaliningrad to cover 1 km in Sinyavinskoye Lake at sunset. This is the only night swim in the X-WATERS series, requiring swimmers to use individual lights.

Course

1 km

Evening swim in Sinyavinskoye Lake, Yantarny, near Kaliningrad. Night swim with individual lights and illuminated buoys.

4.7 km

Morning swim across the Eastern Bosphorus Strait in Vladivostok, passing under the cable-stayed bridge, finishing in Ajax Bay.

Awards

Details available in the official race regulations PDF.

How to get there

✈️ Search flights to VVO

X-WATERS Обними Россию

Where to stay

In Vladivostok, options range from modern high-rise hotels overlooking the Golden Horn Bridge to smaller harbor-side guesthouses. In the Yantarny/Kaliningrad area, look for converted historic manors or boutique hotels near the seaside cliffs. Camping is available in designated coastal areas, though most participants favor the convenience of central hotels during the tight 24-hour race window. Expect to pay between 60 EUR and 150 EUR per night, depending on proximity to the water and the level of service required for such a fast-paced travel itinerary.

Things to do nearby

The weekend centers on geological and historical discovery. In Yantarny, visitors can explore the open-pit amber mines where prehistoric insects remain perfectly preserved in resin. The Kaliningrad region also offers tours of medieval ruins and the unique coastal landscape of the Curonian Spit. For those with a few hours before or after the race, kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding on the calmer sections of the Baltic coast provides a different perspective on the region's shifting dunes and maritime heritage.

Swimmers

Other stages of this series

Other races by this organiser

Comments

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