Bern Workers Swim Home Through River in Unique Summer Tradition

In Bern, Switzerland, a distinctive summer ritual has emerged where office workers, students, and locals swim home through the Aare River after work. On warm summer afternoons, participants strip off their business attire, pack their clothes into waterproof bags called Wickelfisch, and float down the river to reach their homes. This practice has become a viral and beloved local tradition, blending leisure with practical commuting for those living near the riverbanks.

The Wickelfisch bag is essential for this activity, serving both as a waterproof container for clothes, phones, and keys, and as a flotation device during the swim. While many enjoy it as a refreshing pastime after work, some residents use it as a genuine mode of transportation to shorten their journey home.

Despite the idyllic scene, the Aare River demands caution. Its glacial waters are cold, and the current can be strong and hazardous. The Bern city authorities have marked designated entry and exit points along the river and advise that only experienced swimmers undertake the swim. The sight of swimwear drying on fences near the Swiss parliament building has become a common local image, underscoring the practice's integration into Bern’s urban culture.