DON’T MISS
IamExpat Job BoardIamExpat HousingIamExpat Webinars
Newsletters
EXPAT INFO
CAREER
HOUSING
EDUCATION
LIFESTYLE
EXPAT SERVICES
NEWS & ARTICLES
Home
Lifestyle
Swiss news & articles
[Video] Man dives 52 metres into icy Swiss lake, breaking world record
Never miss a thing!Sign up for our weekly newsletters with important news stories, expat events and special offers.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy

[Video] Man dives 52 metres into icy Swiss lake, breaking world record

Never miss a thing!Sign up for our weekly newsletters with important news stories, expat events and special offers.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy
or
follow us for regular updates:



Related Stories

What are the rules for inflatable boating on Swiss rivers?What are the rules for inflatable boating on Swiss rivers?
The best places to go paragliding in SwitzerlandThe best places to go paragliding in Switzerland
7 adrenaline-fuelled things to do in Switzerland7 adrenaline-fuelled things to do in Switzerland
7 things expats in Switzerland need to know about in November 20227 things expats in Switzerland need to know about in November 2022
Tour de France comes to Switzerland: What expats need to knowTour de France comes to Switzerland: What expats need to know
7 things Switzerland is famous for7 things Switzerland is famous for
May 2023: 7 things expats in Switzerland need to knowMay 2023: 7 things expats in Switzerland need to know
Alpinists climb Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau in less than 16 hoursAlpinists climb Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau in less than 16 hours
For expats of all colours, shapes and sizes

Explore
Expat infoCareerHousingEducationLifestyleExpat servicesNews & articles
About us
IamExpat MediaAdvertisePost a jobContact usSitemapRSS feeds
More IamExpat
IamExpat Job BoardIamExpat HousingWebinarsNewsletters
Privacy
Terms of usePrivacy policyCookiesAvoiding scams

Never miss a thing!Sign up for expat events, news & offers, delivered once a week.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy


© 2025 IamExpat Media B.V.
© 2025 IamExpat Media B.V.
Mar 15, 2023
Jan de Boer

Editor at IamExpat Media

Jan studied History at the University of York and Broadcast Journalism at the University of Sheffield. Though born in York, Jan has lived most of his life in Zurich and has worked as a journalist, writer and editor since 2016. While he has plunged head-first back into life in Switzerland since returning to the country in 2020, he still enjoys a taste of home at pub quizzes and karaoke nights.Read more

A free diver from Czechia has broken the Guinness World Record for the deepest unaided vertical dive under ice, after swimming 52 metres down into the water at a lake in Switzerland. Despite breaking the record, extreme athlete David Vencl was rushed to hospital after the attempt, and is now being monitored closely.

Deepest unaided free dive under ice attempted in Switzerland

At the event on March 12, Vencl attempted the deepest free dive ever swam by a human without scuba gear, wetsuit or aids of any kind under ice. To make it doubly hard, the Czech maverick chose Lake Sils in Canton Graubünden for his attempt, a lake high in the Swiss mountains.

This isn’t the first time Vencl has faced the icy water, having already broken the world record for the longest swim under a solid sheet of ice. The man swam 81 metres under the ice during his attempt in 2021.

Vencl dove 52 metres down through icy water

To prepare for his death-defying descent into the icy depths, Vencl was accompanied by an army of specialists, who helped him along by carving a hole through the 35-centimetre thick ice. Then, with only fins, a bathing cap, face protection, and likely his own nerves for company, he dove into the water.

After one minute and 52 seconds under the water, Vencl reappeared, having dove 52 metres down under the ice - the height of 16 adult African elephants standing on top of each other. Needless to say, he had smashed the world record.

Czech record breaker rushed to hospital in Switzerland

Unfortunately, after being hoisted out and treating himself to a glass of champagne while still wearing nothing but a cap and a speedo, the new record holder started to cough up blood. After this continued when he returned to the hotel, he was rushed to the hospital.

Doctors are now keeping Vencl under close observation, with 20 Minuten noting that the condition is likely to do with his lungs. While he did injure himself in the attempt, the 40-year-old Czech can proudly claim yet another world record.

By Jan de Boer