The First Winter Swimmers Festival Held in Ayia Napa

Last Sunday, the First Winter Swimmers Festival took place in Ayia Napa. Under the theme "Swim in Winter," 200 swimmers from all cities of Cyprus participated in the celebration.

The festival was organized by the Ayia Napa Winter Swimmers Club with the support of municipal authorities.

According to Deputy Minister of Tourism Kostas Kumis, the festival will become an annual event and will gain international significance.

In his welcoming speech, the deputy minister noted that the majority of Cypriots usually leave the coast at the end of summer or the beginning of September, which is one of the drawbacks of tourism in the country. He also emphasized that Ayia Napa has the warmest beach in Cyprus, ideal for winter swimming.

The deputy minister also reminded that the Ministry of Interior has a special grant scheme for local authorities to improve beach infrastructure.

Ayia Napa Mayor Christos Zannetou, in turn, highlighted that the municipality responded to the requests of organized swimmers and equipped Makronissos beach with lifeguards during the winter season.

The mayor also noted that organizing the Winter Swimmers Festival is a very important event that should be included in the Ministry of Tourism's program.

The President of the Ayia Napa Winter Swimmers Club thanked the municipality and the Ministry of Tourism for their support and expressed the intention to hold the Winter Swimmers Festival every January. Starting from 2025, the festival will receive international status, allowing winter swimmers from abroad to participate.

Furthermore, the organizers' long-term goal is to establish the All-Cyprus Winter Swimmers Association with headquarters in Ayia Napa and register the group with the International Winter Swimmers Association.