At the invitation of Oleg, Chairman of the Primorsky Krai Winter Swimming Federation "Far Eastern Orca," the Dalian Winter Swimming Association, led by President Han Junlong, assembled an 11-member delegation to participate in the highly anticipated 2024 "Primorsky Krai International Winter Swimming Competition" held in Vladivostok.
On the afternoon of December 18, a group from the Dalian Winter Swimming Association traveled by train to Suifenhe, arriving early on the morning of the 19th. That day, they visited several renowned patriotic education sites, including the Historical Materials Museum of the Sixth National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the Suifenhe Port, and the Middle East Railway.
In the evening, they also attended the reception gala for the Primorsky Krai International Winter Swimming Competition. The Dalian Winter Swimming Association team performed the light-hearted and humorous Beijing folk tune "Exploring Qing Shui River," as well as an energetic small chorus titled "Unity Is Strength," showcasing the vibrant spirit of Dalian’s winter swimmers.
On December 20 at 9:52 a.m., the team departed from Suifenhe by train to Grodekovo Station, transferred to a bus, and arrived in Vladivostok at 7:50 p.m. Moscow time.
At 10:30 a.m. on December 21, the 2024 Primorsky Krai International Winter Swimming Competition was held with great ceremony at the Vladivostok Winter Swimming Base in Vladivostok. The winter days in Vladivostok brought biting cold winds, and the frigid waters tested the courage and perseverance of every participant. At the event, Chinese and Russian athletes gathered together in an atmosphere that was both lively and intense. Athletes from the Dalian Winter Swimming Association stood ready with energetic spirits, meticulously preparing for the race. Despite the icy water chilling their movements, their determination only grew stronger—each stroke and each breath reflecting not only their exceptional skills and tenacious fighting spirit but also their deep passion for the sport of winter swimming.
The athletes from the Dalian Winter Swimming Association’s team competed in events including the men’s Group E and Group D 25-meter breaststroke, 25-meter freestyle, and 200-meter endurance swim. After fierce competition against nearly 300 participants from nine Chinese teams as well as members of Vladivostok Winter Swimming Club from Russia, Yan Yongbin of the Dalian Winter Swimming Association claimed first place in the men’s Group E 25-meter freestyle, while Han Junlong finished fifth in the freestyle event. Guo Jianyang secured third place in the men’s Group E 25-meter breaststroke, and all other athletes also delivered outstanding performances.
On December 22, the team visited Lenin Square, the Orthodox Church, the Submarine Museum No. 2456, and the Centennial Lighthouse.
On December 23, the Dalian City Winter Swimming Association team traveled by bus from Vladivostok to Grodekovo Station, transferred to the Middle Eastern Railway, and arrived in Suifenhe, Heilongjiang Province, at 16:55 Beijing time.
On the morning of December 24, they drove for one hour to reach Dongning, where they participated in the National Mass Ice and Snow Season event and the 6th China (Dongning)-Russia (Vladivostok) International Winter Swimming Exchange Open Tournament 2024. The event was jointly hosted by the Dongning Municipal Party Committee and Government, along with the Culture and Sports Administration of Russia’s Primorsky Krai. Nearly 200 winter swimming enthusiasts from 10 provinces and 19 cities across China and Russia took part in the competition.
Relying on its strategic geographical advantages, Dongning aims to leverage the Asian Winter Games as a golden opportunity to boost winter sports events and stimulate the region's ice-and-snow economy. The Dalian Winter Swimming Association's representative team participated in competitions across various events, with Zhou Jianyang delivering an outstanding performance by securing third place in the men's breaststroke category (Group B). Meanwhile, the other team members also showcased impressive results. In the afternoon, the group visited the Dongning Fortress, where they paused at the Soviet Red Army Martyrs' Monument standing proudly in the museum square—a poignant reminder to remember history and cherish peace.
At 8:38 a.m. on December 25, the Dalian Winter Swimming Association's representative team returned to Dalian by train from Suifenhe, happily concluding their trip to the international winter swimming event.
During the international winter swimming exchange event, participants from various countries shared their nations' sports cultures, traditional practices, and other enriching insights, fostering mutual understanding. This time, the Dalian Winter Swimming Association team exchanged ideas with Russian athletes about their unique pre- and post-swim warm-up routines, as well as effective methods for warming up afterward—and even discussed safety techniques essential for winter swimming in cold environments, helping everyone enjoy the sport even more. This trip to Vladivostok was an unforgettable experience, packed with valuable takeaways. With boundless passion for winter swimming and a strong sense of responsibility, the Dalian Winter Swimming Association looks forward to a bright future of collaboration between Chinese and international winter swimming communities!
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