A bird's-eye view of the Xin'an River. [Photo/hangzhou.com.cn]

Over 3,000 swimmers on July 24 took the plunge in the Xin'an River summer cold-water challenge in Jiande — a county-level city administered by Hangzhou, capital of East China's Zhejiang province —  amid the scorching heat.

The water of the Xin'an River, running through lush mountains in Jiande, boasts a temperature of only 17 C in summer. Because of this, the event has been nicknamed a winter swimming challenge in summer by enthusiasts.

Athletes from 16 provinces and cities — including Zhejiang, Anhui and Fujian — joined in, diving into the chilly river for a refreshing yet bracing experience.

The competition featured three main events — a 900-meter team crossing, a 1,700-meter solo swim and the newly introduced 1,717-meter upstream paddleboard challenge.

The paddleboard race, held against the strong river current, tested speed, endurance and skill — marking the event's evolution from a traditional cold-water swim into a multidimensional extreme sports spectacle.

Launched in 1988 and now in its 24th edition, the challenge has become a celebrated sports brand in Zhejiang and a national gathering for swimming enthusiasts.

This year, participants not only battled the elements but also enjoyed thoughtful services like free ginger tea and iced herbal drinks, thanks to local volunteers, businesses and strong logistical support from the public safety, medical and transportation sectors.

A participant braves the river current during the 1,717-meter paddleboard challenge. [Photo/hangzhou.com.cn]