Cimento Invernale – Winter trial

The dive into the icy waters of the Po river in Torino, organized by Rari Nantes at the Caprera Rowing Club, is an event which, year after year, manages to combine passion and tradition with a good dose of audacity, celebrating the indissoluble bond between city and its river. Over 100 participants (108 in the 2024 and 102 in the 2025), including adults, children and even a dog who, at one step from the dive, preferred to wait for his human friend on the shore. The Winter Trial has a long history. Its origins date back to January 1899, when Colonel Nino Vaudano, founder of Rari Nantes Turin and pioneer of swimming in Italy, organized the first dive into the Po river. In an era in which swimming was still not widespread, the initiative had the dual intent of promoting this discipline but also respect for the river, keeping it clean. At the end of the 19th century, few people knew how to swim and Colonel Vaudano’s intent was to demonstrate to the public that it was possible to enter the water and swim safely even at low temperatures, without fear or panic. The event attracted hundreds of onlookers and quickly became a unique and timeless annual celebration. It didn’t stop even during the two world wars, only COVID managed to interrupt it, just temporarily. “The atmosphere is vibrant, the laughter contagious and there is that sense of collective madness. Throwing yourself into the river is a rush of adrenaline,” says Marcello, one of the historic participants of the winter challenge in Turin, describing the exhilaration that accompanies the dive into the icy waters. “But it is after those first breathless moments that the real magic occurs: you feel very good, a sensation of widespread well-being that pervades the body. It’s as if the cold had taken away all the tensions. The adrenaline continues to pulse, making you energized and euphoric, ready to face any challenge. It’s an experience that goes beyond a simple winter dive. Must try at least once in your life,” he guarantees.