On Saturday, 14 May 2022, the city woke up to a special day: we paddled together from Óbuda to Újbuda and at the same time opened this year’s Árasztó Beach. The team of the City and River Association marched through the capital together with about two hundred participants and a rolling lock. The floating parade, which ran from Óbuda to Újbuda, drew attention to the urban role of the Danube and its recreational potential, as well as to the improvement of the water quality and the high micro-pollutant content of the Danube.
The day and the gathering started on the Roman Coast, to then take the special two-hour trip on the Danube together. Most of us set off by canoe for the 15 kilometres or so, but of course there were kayaks, paddle boats and a few SUP as well. Participants were given an incredible panoramic view and close-to-nature experience, and the city showed a whole new face to everyone from the water.
The Budapest Boat Crossing was part of the international Cleandanube project. As part of the Cleandanube project, Andres Fath, the “swimming professor”, sets off from Germany and travels 2,700 kilometres along the Danube to the Black Sea, while his crew continuously measures the levels of pollutants in the water, with a particular focus on microplastics.
