Var min 5 start på vidöstern 21km .Alla gånger har vidöster lyckats ordna olika utmaingar .Från kyla,tillvärme,till hård blåst,Till full strom.Till lite vanligt väder .Så får man mötas på naturens vilkor det är ingen väntan eller förkortoingar eller omdragingar av simsträckan på grund av dåligt väder .Utan är en äkta utmaing .Hellt på naturens vilkor .Vilket även ställer lite krav på dig som deltagare .Kom förbered eller ta din Dns .Dnf . Orginisation runt omkring och under loppets gång håller topp klas dom gör allt för att du ska ta dig i mål . Så om du vill ha en utmaing på naturens vilkor Med suport hela vägen .Så bör du anta utmaingen . Mikael ericsson

Har kun deltaget i den korte distance og kan varmt anbefale dette meget udfordrende race. Hjælperne før under og især efter rece er enormt søde, støttende og giver fantastisk support. Til næste år kunne jeg virkelig godt tænke mig at prøve kræfter med 21 km, hvilket jeg håber at vinde et startnummer til dette.

I have participated in Vidösternsimmet three times: twice in the shorter 21+ km race and this year in the 42+ km Viking Edition. Having competed in several open water swimming events both in Sweden and internationally, I can confidently say that Vidösternsimmet is one of the best-organized events I have experienced. The organizers and volunteers are incredibly welcoming, supportive, and genuinely committed to ensuring that every swimmer feels valued and has the best possible chance of succeeding. One of the things that makes this race so special is how much the conditions can vary from year to year. You never really know what to expect, which adds an extra element of challenge and adventure to the experience. If you are looking for a longer open water swimming challenge with a well-planned and smoothly executed organization, combined with a fantastic atmosphere, Vidösternsimmet is definitely an event you should try. There is a reason why so many participants return year after year.

I started teaching myself crawl 10 months ago and have joined a training group for open water swimming for the last 3 months. I was so inspired and encouraged by the participants in the training group that I signed up for the 6 km distance. The whole event is well organized, which makes you feel safe as a participant. You could feel a great commitment from the support staff and volunteers. A big thank you to those who are holding the event and to everyone who helped. I hope to participate next year.

This is my third time doing Vidösternsimmet and even though it is a tough challenge and many hours of travel to get here I still come back, partly *because* of the challenge but also because it's just such a nice, well-organized, friendly event. To anyone considering this race, know that the the distance is only part of the challenge, there will likely be waves coming from the side in the open parts of the lake. This was the best weather conditions for me so far and it was still quite choppy at times. For me, I think it is an advantage since other have harder times tumbling through the waves than me, but it would be nice to catch one of the rare years with calm water once :) You could always find things to improve, but most are nit-picks or unrealistic (like putting out even more buoys). Navigation is a challenge at times, even though the course is well marked and just putting out those 22+ large buoys is more than you could ask for of the organizers. And I think navigation is part of open water swimming, this is not lane swimming in a pool. The pre-race info is great, take your time to really study the buoy maps and remember at which buoy number each aid station is located, it helps a lot during the race. Also, be prepared for some shallow parts along the course. Safety is good and there are many boats along the course but even then you can find yourself alone at times, which is to be expected, especially if you're doing fine (in the eyes of the safety people) and others might need attention. I had coffee at an aid station that was to hot, I would prefer lukewarm coffee to be able to quickly drink it. The toilet and shower amenities at the finish area are totally fine but maybe not great. The hot tub is amazing to go into after the race and since I was among the first to sit in it, it was not that bad, but I could imagine the water getting quite dirty as more swimmers arrive. But over all it's just a great event and the volunteers of Värnamo are friendly and doing a great job helping everyone. I've yet to need any serious help during the race, but if that would happen I'm confident I would get the help needed.

Jeg har nu deltaget 12 gange Vidösternsimmet, 11 x 21km og i år skulle prøve den dobbelte distance, og dette indebar svømning om natten, hvilke vi var lidt nervøse for :-) Men dette gik ud over al forventning, slet ikke så vanskeligt som troet, 2 super kajak fører fra Norge, hvoraf den ene kunne en del dansk :-) ( jeg forstår ikke som sådan et andet sprog, da jhar et udviklings handicap) desværre så mangler jeg hastighed, distance OK, så jeg faldt for en tidsgrænse i depotet E4, og jeg manglede nogen at følges med, så kom til at svømme ind forkert, Stort ØV ! Men det er alligevel et super race/ Events, de altid søde og hjælpsomme, og så er det ikke kæmpe stort Jeg må jo så svømme om i 2027, da jeg virkelig gerne vil eje det fine bagdes 42km + Viking :-) og tror på jeg formår at få det næste gang, nå,ja, hvis ikke bølgerne vokser alt for meget

First of all thank you ever so much to all the people involved for organizing and hosting this amazing event!! It was great to take part of this challenge. From the start area with clear and friendly instructions, not to crowded, happy people and great help and support. To the feeding stations where warm drinks and comfort was offered when needed plus lovely snacks to head back out. To the finishing area where lots was provided to have some time to enjoy post-race and (specially) that it was achieved! Just a couple of things that would make it even better is a bit more buoys/markings along the way where the course is (supposed to be). Due to the waves and first time seeing this lake and swimming this course, it was difficult to navigate. Specially after one of the feeding stations on land, another swimmer and I just stood there not knowing where to go exactly since there where three options. At the end it was clear there was a lot around and to do, yet after swimming it is difficult to find everything. Several asked about the changing area and showers, yet I didn't see them until driving away from the event. It's also that they gave me directions to the sauna tent to warm up, which I wouldn't have found on my own. Maybe a little direction signs or something beside it would help? At the first station it took a while before receiving my prepped bag, which took me out of concentration and the swim. Because my stomach get's upset by many of the gels, it is difficult to take what's provided, even when wanted to do so since it's lovely that you do. Would it be an idea to sent two or three home (maybe against payment) when you take part of it, so you can train with them? That would be a great way to know if it is possible to take them and don't have to wait for the bag(s) :). For the supporters point of few, they where very happy with the map to see where every stop was, the signs along the road where to park and everything, plus the hotdogs that where served :). They did say it would be nice to have something like drinks and food for sell around the places, since when you don't know the area it's a little harder to find the places where it could have been found. Same accounts for the toilets, which would have been nice to have a bit more opportunities. Yet all in all they had a great day and time, and enjoyed being part of the challenge!