Many people swim in the Rhine all summer long, but the official Basel Rhine Swim by the Swiss Lifesaving Society (SLRG Basel Section) takes place once a year, in August. Thousands of swimmers float leisurely down the river holding on to brightly coloured “Wickelfisch” (swimming bags), which people use to stow away their belongings.

www.slrg-basel.ch/basler-rheinschwimmen