Start of the season in perfect summer weather: first guests welcomed to the Ostbad

They could hardly wait: well before 10 a.m. today (May 15, 2024), an expectant group of around 30 swimmers gathered at the turnstile in front of "their" Ostbad. Among them was Ingrid Berndt from Lobeda-Ost, who was welcomed with a bouquet of flowers by Lydia Pinker from Jenaer Bäder- und Freizeitgesellschaft as the first visitor of the new season.  

There were two reasons for the flowers: it was also the 82-year-old's birthday today. And on her special day, she traditionally starts the new year by swimming with a group of friends. For 13 years - since the renovation of the Ostbad - she has actually been coming here every day to swim her laps in the sports pool. The sturdy pensioner covers an average of 1000 meters per visit and aims for around 100 visits per season - whatever the weather. She has even completed her swimming sessions at the foot of the Jenzig when the water is 14 degrees Celsius...

The water wasn't quite that cold today after all: the 18 degrees in the sports pool felt quite comfortable in the morning with summery temperatures. As a result, the opening guests were joined by a few more visitors over the course of the day. It is open for all of them every day in May from 10 am to 6 pm, and in June, July and August even from 9 am to 8 pm.

All information about this year's Ostbad season can be found here.