It was originally an idea by Per-Alvar "Palle" Magnusson's niece Maja Magnusson to swim across the lake Bergviken, Palle thought it was a nice idea. Palles son Oscar and Maja and her sister Lisa, swam across the lake one morning in mid-July 2008 with Palle in the following-boat.
Palle called me after they implemented the "swim" and thought it would be a good route for an open water race.I liked the idea and we decided to try out the distance.
After having purchased wetsuits for both of us, me and Palle swam over the lake on a Saturday in mid-August 2008 with a water temp of about 18 °C.
Afterwards, we started bouncing ideas for a future Open water race and we decided that we could offer a very challenging and enjoyable contest. With the finish on Kungsholmen, where the "former skiers" Erik Ostlund & Billan Westin, runs Kungsholmen Restaurant & Conference, where they arrange a banquet with the theme "Bryggrock".
After Palles tragic death me and Bollnäs SS decided to run the race in Palles memory.
Everyone who are working with TYR Bergviken Open Water works entirely voluntary.
/ Thomas Bäckman