Video: 300 swimmers take to river Rhine for traditional winter dip Around 300 swimmers took to the ice cold waters of the river Rhine in Düsseldorf, Germany, for the 49th annual New Year swim on Saturday. Some of the swimmers, made up largely of lifeguards and divers, took to the water in fancy dress whilst others took playful inflatables. The entrants, who were combating temperatures of 7 degrees Celsius in the German city, swam 6km to a yacht harbour before exiting to take on tea and mulled wine.