Open-water swimmer Luca Karl before the European Championships: The worst thing is to be left behind

Luca Karl, a freewater swimmer from Austria, has expressed his readiness for the European Championships in Paris, despite lingering fears of the water. The 24-year-old athlete, who once had difficulty with swimming due to childhood anxiety, now competes among the world's best in one of the most challenging disciplines of the sport. His upcoming race over ten kilometers in the Seine will take place on Tuesday, and while he acknowledges the unpredictable nature of freewater racing, he remains focused on the competition itself. Karl’s journey into freewater swimming began with personal struggle. As a child, he feared the water, which made his early experiences in the pool difficult. However, this fear did not deter him from pursuing the sport. Instead, it became part of his story, shaping his approach to competition. He recalls his first swimming lessons in Salzburg, where he faced initial challenges. Over time, these obstacles transformed into motivation, leading him to excel in an environment where competitors often push each other to their limits. In freewater races, there are no lane lines, no clear boundaries, only the river, the wind, and the athletes themselves. This lack of structure makes the sport both thrilling and demanding. Karl understands the dynamics of such races well. He knows the types of competitors who might try to cut through or block others, yet he insists that retaliation would be counterproductive. “The worst thing you can do is chase someone down and give up,” he says. Maintaining focus and emotional control is crucial in such conditions. At the World Championships in Singapore 2025, Karl achieved a breakthrough, finishing fifth in his first ten-kilometer race. That performance marked a turning point in his career. It confirmed his place among elite swimmers and solidified his confidence. Previously, he admired athletes like Florian Wellbrock and Gregorio Paltrinieri from afar. Now, he finds himself alongside them, exchanging words before the race begins. These former idols have become rivals, and Karl admits that such a scenario was once a dream for anyone starting in the sport. His path to success was not planned. Initially, he trained in the pool, mastering long distances. Eventually, he ventured beyond the lanes, experimenting with open-water conditions. At first, he considered it a risk, but soon realized it was something special. The unpredictability of freewater racing appealed to him, offering a challenge that traditional pool swimming could not match. What draws Karl to freewater is its variability. Each race is different, starting from the shore, navigating changing currents, adapting to weather conditions. While he does not call it a vacation, he describes the experience as liberating. The lack of predictability adds to the difficulty, requiring strategic thinking and quick adjustments. He compares the race tactics to those in cycling, particularly the Tour de France, where riders rely on drafting and teamwork. Similarly, Karl seeks out groups of swimmers to conserve energy, using the momentum of those ahead to his advantage. Despite the challenges, Karl remains optimistic about the upcoming event. He acknowledges some nerves related to the Seine’s water quality, though he notes that concerns have been addressed. After several athletes fell ill during the Olympics, swimmers wrote to the European governing body, expressing worries about water safety. The response reassured Karl, stating that current measurements were “excellent” compared to 2024, and that contingency plans were in place. With this information, he can concentrate on the race itself, embracing the uncertainty that defines freewater swimming.