Revamped New Year's Eve Swim: Fire Department Mainz Shortens Swimming Distance, Equal Enjoyment for All
In the picturesque city of Mainz, the 51st annual New Year's Day swim took place on the first day of 2025, marking a triumphant return after last year's cancellation due to high water levels.
The event commenced at the Kaiser Tor stairs, a change from the traditional fireboat starting point. The switch was met with enthusiasm, providing a unique and memorable start to the festivities.
Approximately 200 participants, adorned in creative costumes or equipped with floating accessories, braved the 13°C waters of the Rhine, adding a touch of colour and excitement to the chilly morning.
The Mainz Fire Department, along with their counterparts from Aschaffenburg, Kaiserslautern, Ludwigshafen, Maintal, Main-Taunus-Kreis, Mainz, Neustadt an der Weinstraße, Offenbach, and Wiesbaden, ensured the safety of the swimmers. The police reserve, water police, German Armed Forces, State Fire and Rescue Academy, various local branches of the German Life Saving Association, the German Federal Agency for Technical Relief, private diving clubs, and employees from Mainz's politics and administration were all present to lend a hand.
Spectators lined the riverbank, with around 400 people watching the event unfold. Several well-known faces from politics and society were also in attendance, adding to the event's lively atmosphere.
Oberbürgermeister Nino Haase gave the starting signal at 10 am, and the swimmers plunged into the Rhine, ready to conquer the cold waters. Several rescue boats were on standby to secure experienced and well-equipped swimmers throughout the event.
The event concluded at the Rheingoldhalle, where participants and spectators could warm up and celebrate their achievements. The proceeds from the accompanying donation campaign will be donated to 'Frühstart e.V.' Mainz, a non-profit organization that supports premature babies, sick newborns, and at-risk children.
The Mainz Fire Department, in their spirit of giving, have also chosen to support the Verein 'Sternenboot e.V.' in 2023 through their donation campaign.
As the swimmers slid into the new year, the Mainz Fire Department wished all citizens a safe and prosperous 2025. For those interested in getting involved or learning more about the Mainz Fire Department, they can be reached at [email protected] or via their website at http://www.berufsfeuerwehr-mainz.de.
