Srinagar, Aug 31: Fifty-three swimmers braved the waters of the iconic Nigeen Lake in Srinagar as the Swim N Survive Society – Kashmir (SnSS-K), in collaboration with the Underwater Sports Association of J&K, successfully hosted the Great Nigeen Swim – 2026, featuring challenging 3-kilometre and 5-kilometre open-water endurance swims.

The event was flagged off by Shakeel Ahmad Shah, President, Swim N Survive Society – Kashmir, along with Yasir Makhdoomi, Secretary of the Society, and Riyaz Ahmad Wani, noted swimming and cycling expert.
The 53 participants, including two women swimmers, took on the demanding 3-km and 5-km courses from the Nigeen Water Sports Centre towards the houseboat area, completing three and five laps respectively.
The event was meticulously monitored through Garmin tracking devices, while volunteers and support personnel remained deployed along the course to ensure smooth coordination, safety and successful completion of the challenge.
The participant field featured several of Kashmir’s prominent swimmers and adventure-sports enthusiasts, including Zahid Iqbal, Dr Sheikh Tariq, Er. Mushtaq Wani, Faheem Ali Punjabi, Ajaz Khan of Paristaan Group, national fin swimmers Mohammad Faaliq Najar, Zaid Bin Riyaz Wani, Muhammad Aleem Ibaad and Sadiq Ali, besides national medallist Mohsin Fayaz.
Adding a special dimension to the event was inspiring family participation, with Abdullah Aijaz swimming alongside his father Aijaz Khan and sister Irtika Aijaz, exemplifying the spirit of togetherness, family bonding and shared passion for sport.
Speaking at the closing, representatives of the Swim N Survive Society – Kashmir reaffirmed the Society’s commitment to promoting adventure, endurance, water safety and aquatic sports across the region.
Riyaz Ahmad Wani, water-sports expert, expressed gratitude to the technical officials, volunteers and support teams for their vital contribution to the successful conduct of the event. He said that initiatives such as the Great Nigeen Swim not only test the physical and mental limits of swimmers but also inspire the younger generation to embrace challenging, disciplined and life-enriching sporting activities.
The Great Nigeen Swim – 2026 was facilitated and sponsored by S M Constructions and J J Foods.
The organisers expressed their gratitude to all 53 swimmers, officials, volunteers, sponsors and supporters for making the event a memorable celebration of endurance, courage, camaraderie and the growing culture of open-water swimming in Kashmir.