You can swim there if you want! there's a picture with ppl swimming in Viennas canal (Donaukanal) on the website and there's a whole association around it which claims 300+ members: https://schwimmvereindonaukanal.org/.

That being said, Donauinsel is still quite close to the center and I personally prefer the relative quietness and greenery around there to swimming in the canal.

It's not so safe.. boats and currents. I prefer swimming in the pool that's floating on the canal:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CiAb0gXufXx

I suppose it's less safe then a pool, but I don't think there's more current compared to the Danube and there are boats there as well.

Yea, Alte and Neu Donau are safe but Donau and Kanal... I see people do it with a balloon strapped to their waist for visibility to boats, but I wouldn't do it.

Those pontoon ferry boats travel over 30 km/h on the Kanal.

Ok I didn’t mean that much water!

https://bsky.app/profile/jamestheswift.bsky.social/post/3l47...

Hah! I never knew that and so far only ever seen drunk people in there.

Schwimm Verein Donaukanal (Swim Club Danube Canal) is one of the signatories of the Swimmable Cities movement.

According to their FAQ it is very much possible to swim in the canal under certains conditions that they mention as well.

https://schwimmvereindonaukanal.org/FAQ-en-1

Yeah, but I see plenty of potential for improvement to make it more accessible. Start with the information, even many Viennese I've met don't know swimming in the canal is allowed. Putting up some signposts at places suitable for swimming would be great.

I would bet most have no idea.