In autumn 2020, Erika Sjöberg and Hanna Prage founded the ‘World Swim Hat Day’. They had been bathing by Stockholm for a long time, regardless of season: ‘The cold water gives me so much pleasure, and it makes me happy. And it doesn’t get worse if you also wear a funny hat‘. While bathing, not much of the outfit is visible, and then it is a good idea to make the most out of the headgear. Check here: World Swim Hat Day!
Since then, in just two years, this has spread to all the Scandinavian countries, Germany, the Netherlands and also has become quite big in Great Britain. As well known, they have a predisposition for extravagant hats…
Tobatheornottobathe was in Stockholm on the occasion of The Dirty Old Band’s annual autumn tour. We had received several tips about bathing spots in Stockholm, our eldest daughter Ulvhild has lived there for 4 years. But the coincidence of our Stockholm trip and the ‘World Swim Hat Day’ – who would have imagined that?
The only problem was that the hat bath tip came to our attention at 11 a.m. on the day of departure, during the planned bath at Tantolunden. And the flight had a departure time of 3:35 p.m. Could we make it? Was there any point in trying? But Tobatheornottobathe just couldn’t let such an opportunity be wasted, so we finished the bathing at Tantolunden, went back to the hotel to check out and then took a taxi to Smedsuddbadet (the Smith’s Cape Bath). Just another ordinary day…
Smedsuddbadet is located close to Västerbron (the West Bridge) on Kungsholmen (the King’s Islet), with easy access 10 minutes from the subway. Originally Smedsudden was an island, called Marieskär (Mary’s Islet) or Smedsholmen (The Smith’s Islet). The name came from ‘glass smith’ Gustaf Hård and A. Röding, who lived here. At the end of the 18th century, the strait was filled in, and the island became a cape. The headland was bought in 1812 by chief inspector Abraham Fineman, who had ‘Sjövillan’ built (The Maison by the Sea). ‘Sjövillan’ burned in 1997, and now only the annex remains.
In the 1960’s, the water quality at Smedsudden was very poor, but sewage treatment from 1970 gave quick results, and on the 21th of June 1973, mayor Thorsten Sundstrøm was able to inaugurate the bath. Here you will find a nice beach, floating jetty, changing rooms and several outdoor showers. Water quality can vary, but water samples are taken regularly.
Was it worth it? Absolutely! The hat bathing was supposed to take place at 2 p.m, but we couldn’t wait for that. Instead, we took a bath for ourselves, half an hour before.
By the time we had finished bathing, a colorful group of hatted bathers was arrived, and we had time for a little chat.
We caught the plane with a good margin of several minutes, so we didn’t have to regret the bath this time, either.
Today’s tip for our readers: the World Swim Hat Day takes place on the last Sunday in October each year. Put on a hat and join us next time too, and follow the hat bath founders’ motto: ‘It must be allowed to have fun even as an adult‘!
Alternatively, you can join the ‘Stockholm Winter Swim Open’ in february/march. There they have a special competition, which consists of swimming wearing the most extravagant or funniest hat.