Nearly four in ten young danes have gone swimming under the influence of alcohol or drugs
18.08.2026 - A swim can seem like the perfect way to end a warm summer day. But for a significant number of people, swimming takes place after drinking alcohol or using other substances. A new Danish survey commissioned by insurance company Gjensidige suggests that this is particularly common among young adults.
When the sun is shining, few things are more refreshing than a dip in the water. However, many people combine swimming with alcohol or other intoxicating substances.
A new survey conducted by YouGov for Gjensidige found that 14% of Danish adults had gone swimming in a lake, the sea or a swimming pool while intoxicated by alcohol or other substances during the previous three years.
Among people aged 18 to 29, the proportion was considerably higher. Some 38% said they had gone swimming while intoxicated, meaning nearly four in ten young adults surveyed had done so.
“Many people think that a quick dip is harmless, but alcohol and other substances make it more difficult to react quickly if something goes wrong. You can more easily become disoriented, underestimate currents or distances, and overestimate your own abilities and strength. As a result, a situation that would normally seem harmless can develop into something serious,” said Mette Glad, Health Specialist at Gjensidige.
She pointed out that the risks may be compounded because the swimmer is often not the only person who has been drinking.
“The risk becomes even greater because it is often not only the person entering the water who is intoxicated. Friends on shore may also have been drinking alcohol and are therefore less attentive and less able to react quickly if something goes wrong,” Glad said.
Late-night swimming requires particular caution
Swimming late in the evening or at night can pose additional risks. There may be fewer people around, visibility is poorer and lifeguards are often not present.
“When there are fewer people around and it is also more difficult to see what is happening, it becomes even more important to have a clear head. Wait until the effects of alcohol or other substances have worn off before going swimming,” Glad said.
She offered a simple rule of thumb:
“If you are too intoxicated to drive a car, you are probably also too intoxicated to swim. Help each other speak up if going for a swim is not safe. Water demands respect, especially when you are intoxicated.”
Nine swimming safety recommendations
Gjensidige also highlighted nine basic recommendations for safer swimming:
Learn to swim and dive properly.
Always swim with other people and keep an eye on each other, particularly children.
When standing in the water, stay at depths no higher than your navel.
Never dive headfirst into shallow water or water you do not know.
Choose beaches with recognised safety and water-quality standards, such as Blue Flag beaches.
Swim parallel to the shore.
Swim only where swimming is permitted and when conditions are suitable.
Swim only when you feel well, and never with alcohol or sedating medication in your system.
Get out of the water if you start feeling cold.
About the survey
The survey was conducted by YouGov for Gjensidige among 1,030 respondents in Denmark in June 2026.
Respondents were asked whether, during the previous three years, they had gone swimming in a lake, the sea or a swimming pool while intoxicated by alcohol or other substances.
Response | All respondents | Age 18 to 29 |
Yes | 14% | 38% |
No | 85% | 60% |
Don’t know | 1% | 1% |
Source: Gjensidige press release, 13 August 2026.
