Police mark 108th anniversary with 108-metre river swim

Police officers and winter swimmers swam 108 metres in the Emajõgi River near Tartu Lodjakoda to mark the 108th anniversary of the Police and Border Guard Board, ERR reported.

Not everyone who attended went into the water. Those who took part said they were used to swimming year-round. Police investigator Consuelo Laanemäe Räim said the weather was pleasant, with no cold wind, and that both the air and water were 3 degrees Celsius.

Police application expert Indrek Koemets said the annual swim began in 2013, when colleagues suggested marking the board’s 95th anniversary by swimming 95 metres in the river. The event has since been joined by Tartu winter swimmers.

One participant, Katrin, said she had been able to practise less than usual because of problems at Anne Canal, where increasing numbers of ducks and their droppings have made swimming less pleasant. Swimmers say the canal is safer than the river once ice forms.

The Tartu winter swimming centre is considering ways to address the problem, including restricting the swimming area or covering it. Centre organiser Margus Ruusmaa also said people could stop feeding the ducks. He said one or two ducks were not a problem, but there could be 300 to 400.