Pavla Petrová swims through five lakes in Lausitzer Seenland

Czech long-distance swimmer Pavla Petrová successfully completed a swim through five lakes in the Lausitzer Seenland, Europe’s largest artificial lake complex. Under the motto ‘Five Lakes, One Way’, the 49-year-old swimmer traversed the Senftenberg, Geierswalder, Partwitzer, Sedlitzer, and Großräschener lakes.

Petrová started her journey at 6:43 AM at the Senftenberg harbor and reached the Großräschen city beach at 2:22 PM, completing the distance in approximately seven hours and 39 minutes. This was faster than the ten hours originally anticipated. To navigate the canals between the lakes where swimming is prohibited, she was transported by a motorboat from the Wasserwacht Hoyerswerda.

Petrová stated that the goal of the event was not to set a record, but to serve as a ‘sign of connection’ between people, cultures, and countries. The lakes, which were formed from former open-cast mines, span the German states of Brandenburg and Saxony. Despite initial concerns regarding the 17-degree Celsius water temperature, Petrová reported that she did not freeze during the attempt.