In the night of July 23, around 11:45 PM, an unknown attacker damaged all the historical water bikes on the lake Veľký Draždiak in the Petržalka district of Bratislava. All 16 watercraft, which have been serving lake visitors for over 30 years, were affected by the attack.
Details of the incident
According to Janka Murínová, the operator of the Jantár water bikes, the attacker punctured two floats on each of the 16 water bikes. A total of 32 floats had to be repaired, each with one to three holes. About three minutes after the vandalism began, around 11:48 PM, the attacker was disturbed by someone and fled in the direction of Paneurópska vysoká škola (Pan-European University).
Murínová is convinced that this was not an accidental act of vandalism, but a targeted attack on the entire fleet. She also noted that the damaged floats could have posed a serious safety risk to people who might not have noticed the damage before going on the water.
Consequences and repair
Despite the significant damage, thanks to many years of experience in maintaining these historical watercraft, the operators managed to repair the water bikes quickly. This allowed them to resume operations promptly, avoiding a long break. The exact amount of damage caused is currently unknown.
The operator filed a criminal complaint against the unknown attacker. The police are investigating the case, and forensic experts are collecting recordings from surveillance cameras in the area, which may help identify the suspect.
Other events at Draždiak
The lake Veľký Draždiak is a popular recreation spot in Petržalka. This summer, a new free inflatable water park was also launched here. In April 2026, the Petržalka borough planned to purchase 15 new four-person water bikes for the lake to expand the recreational offerings. These new bikes were supposed to be damage-resistant due to special float filling, making them unsinkable.
This incident highlights the importance of safety and responsible behavior towards public property, especially in recreational areas where people seek fun and peace.
