Peter Plavec

Last year, I had the honor of speaking at the Beyond the Breakers conference at Bentley University in Boston. My presentation, “From Zero to Hero,” shared the story of my short but intense journey in swimming.

This year, I’m returning to Boston to speak about a topic that is very close to my heart: cold adaptation and its importance for open water swimmers.

Many people think cold-water adaptation is simply about staying in cold water for as long as possible. In reality, it is much more complex. Proper cold adaptation can improve the body’s response to stress, increase comfort in cold water, help swimmers better manage challenging conditions, and, most importantly, enhance safety during open water swims.

During my presentation, I will discuss the physiological processes that occur when the body is exposed to cold water, the most common mistakes swimmers make when adapting to the cold, and how a systematic approach to cold adaptation can benefit not only ice swimmers but anyone who spends time in open water.

I’m looking forward to sharing my experiences with members of the swimming community from around the world.

Boston, see you again!

The water gets colder.

The community gets stronger.

This year at Beyond The Breakers, Ice Swimmer Peter Plavec will share what it takes to swim, adapt, and perform when the water reaches its most demanding.

For the winter swimmers.
The ice swimmers.
The curious.
The adventurous.

For those who swim anyway.

📍 Bentley University
📅 Nov 14, 2026

Built Beyond The Breakers!

🥇 1st Age Group | 🥉 3rd Overall

Yesterday I raced the 3.8 km Seestadt Open Water Swim and came away with 1st place in my age group and 3rd place overall! 🌊🏊‍♂️

The water temperature was around 22°C. That’s definitely warmer than what this cold water swimmer prefers 😅 — but it was still a fantastic day in the water.

I’m happy with the performance, the pacing, and the feeling throughout the race. Every open water swimming event is different, and that’s exactly what makes this sport so special.

A big thank you to the organizers, volunteers, and everyone who cheered along the course! 🙌

Now it’s back to training and enjoying every kilometer in the water. 🌊💙

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