CROSS THE GREAT VOLGA!
Start Venue: Nizhne-Volzhskaya Embankment, Nizhny Novgorod (near the Chkalov Stairs).
Distances
plan
the distance
plan
• 1 k
The start is from the sandy beach of the Mochalny Peninsula, offering a view of the city center, the Kremlin, and the Chkalov Stairs. Transportation to the start point is provided by bus. The finish line is within direct sight. Along the entire course, there is a lateral current that can vary from very strong to mild (it changes from year to year). It is most powerful toward the end of the distance. The effective length of the course can range from 1000 to 1500 meters depending on the current and the individual swimmer's trajectory. The finish is on the embankment near the "Geroi" ("Hero") boat.
• 2 k
Start from the city embankment near "Strelka" (the confluence of the rivers). Swimmers move directly along the line where the Oka and Volga rivers merge, going with the current the entire way — a very fast, very beautiful, and incredibly smooth swim! It's a perfect find for those who are still hesitant about starting with the 1 km race across the river, as well as for those who have already tried other distances and want to enjoy the thrill of double the speed. The finish is on the embankment near the "Geroi" ("Hero") boat.
• 3 k
Start from the sandy-grass beach on the left bank of the Volga, with views of the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and the new "Nizhny Novgorod" Stadium. Bus transfer to the start provided. The finish is in direct sight, and the route is straight. The first two kilometers are with the current, followed by a section similar to the 1 km course. Effective course length 3100 m. Finish on the embankment near the boat "Geroi" ("Hero").
• 10 k
Participants start from a sandy beach on the Volga River, moving downstream with the current. Near the 5 km course area, they turn toward the left bank of the Volga. A mandatory checkpoint requires exiting the water at the 3 km start point. Finish on the embankment near the boat "Geroi" ("Hero").
• 30 k
Participants start from a sandy beach on the Volga River in the city of Balakhna, moving downstream with individual escort provided by the organizers. The finish for participants is on the sandy shore at the start point of the 5 km course.
• Night 500 m
• Night 1 k
Participants start from a pontoon and move around the buoys counter-clockwise. The finish line takes place on the pontoon immediately after the participants climb onto it. Gun-time is used to determine the absolute winners at the distance, and chip-time is used for age groups. The candidates for the absolute start from the water. Night swims start location
Registration for a swim
Before registering, please read Swim Regulations and Standard contract
Select a distance:
Registration for a swim
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Agenda
X-WATERS Volga 2026
Preliminary schedule:
Friday, July 24th
20:00-21:00 Race kit pick up - 30 k distance
Saturday, July 25th
06:30 Transfer of 30 k participants
09:00 30 k start
16:00 Opening of Race Expo, interactive events and quizzes on the main stage
17:00-20:00 Race kit pick up - all distances
Sunday, July 26th
08:00 Race kit pick up
08:00-9:00 Race kit pick up for 2 k distance ONLY in all registration windows
09:00-10:40 Race kit pick up for distances of 1 k, 2 k, 3 k and 5 k
09:00 Parade of teams
10:00 Opening ceremony
10:10 Pre-start briefing for all distances
10:00-10:40 Break in the Race kit pick up
10:30 Departure of the transfer for 10 k participants
11:10-11:50 Additional race kit pick up
11:10-12:50 Additional race kit pick up for 3 k
11:10-14:10 Additional race kit pick up for 1 k
11:10 Departure of the transfer for 2 k participants
12:00 10 k start
12:00 2 k start
12:10 Departure of the transfer for 5 k participants
13:00 5 k start
13:10 Departure of the transfer for 3 k participants
14:30 Departure of the transfer for 1 k participants
14:45 3 k start
16:15 1 k start
17:00-17:40 Musical group performance
18:00 Award ceremony
19:00 Finisher Party
The exact schedule will be known closer to the start. You will receive a Participant's booklet 2 weeks before the event.
How to get:
you can get to Nizhny Novgorod by plane (direct flights from a dozen cities), train or car.
The start location
The start venue is located on the Nizhne-Volzhskaya embankment in Nizhny Novgorod. The landmark is the Chkalov staircase.
You can get there:
by private car;
by taxi;
by public transport (the stop "Hero Boat")
Would you like to be our partner
FOB51419
Compass Building,
Al Shohada Road,
AL Hamra Industrial Zone-FZ,
Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates
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