Underwater Love

On our way to the bus station we have to walkk through the old town down some broad tall steps and over the river Ruess. As we descended the steps today and look out over the river, legions of wetsuit clad individuals are gripping inflatable crocodiles, seahorses, sharks and the like, there must be at least 200-300 people. As we watch they board the bridge we are about to cross and fan out making a line along every available river boarder, some climb over the rail of the bridge standing and waiting, others dip their toes into the rivers side all preparing for some signal.
It transpires that they are all from a Swiss diving club, they are taking part in a cross country, I would say swim but their not, float. It doesn't seem to be for charity or anything else, therre are no placards or banners, it seems more like some out of control drink fueled idea. They seem to be awating eleven O'clock to strike, people sit in unflattering wetsuits smoking and larking around. The river is now surrounded by divers and observers no space is left unfilled, I have never seen such a turn out in one place here. The river is usually populated by many swans and ducks here, and they soon realise that its the humans day for water sports, swans flap mighty wings and flee in panic, the water surface slowly emptys. At eleven an anouncement over a loud hailer starts them off. People flop and dive into the water from the bridge, the more dignified easing into the water from the side. The river is swift and they are soon taken quietly and quickly. Its some fifteen minutes before everyone is in the water, many seem to be taking their time, some scream declarations before jumping in, some wave flags others shoot water guns at the crowd. The bridge and waters edge gradually emptys and the water is filled with the colout of wetsuits and blow up creatures. They will float for 25km or 14 miles over rapids under trees and bridges, past fish and around rocks, why, I have no idea, did I want to go? Yes.