What is ice or winter swimming?

Ice swimming or winter swimming differs from ice bathing or winter swimming primarily in terms of the sporting activity that is not involved in swimming – as the name suggests. Ice swimming is about remaining more or less motionless in cold water. Ice swimming is about swimming as fast as possible in water as cold as 5°C. And, of course, pushing yourself to your limits. There is no thermal protection, so you swim lightly clad in swimming trunks, a swimming cap and goggles.

The addiction to the record

There are now a variety of associations and competitions in ice swimming. The best-known associations are the IISA (International Ice Swimming Association) and the IWSA (International Winter Swimming Association). There is also the WOWSA (World Open Water Swimming Association), which is an umbrella organization for open water swimming. According to participants, the IISA and IWSA in particular have different regulations and there are also some events. For example, the Ice Swimming World Championships will take place in Bled (Slovenia) from January 23 to 29, 2023. The German “Mister Ice Swimming” is multiple world champion Christof Wandratsch, who has set a wide variety of records. He only swims official distances – a maximum of 1,000 meters in competition or the ice mile (1,609 kilometers).

The longest ice swimming distance was set by Krzysztof Kubiak from Poland. The distance was 4.7 kilometers, which was completed in 1 hour and 28 minutes. The water temperature on April 3, 2022, when the distance was covered, was a cool 3.87°C on average – an absolute winter swimming temperature. The International Ice Swimming Association has officially documented this record. An incredible achievement and an extreme challenge both physically and mentally!

Why is winter swimming so challenging?

In contrast to ice swimming, winter swimming is not just about cooling off (like after a sauna) or a short, quiet dip in the ice tub. It is an endurance sport that demands a lot from the body.

Firstly, the water feels colder than when ice swimming. No warm layer of water can form around your skin to shield you from the colder layers, instead you are permanently surrounded by water of the same temperature.

Secondly, you have to swim, otherwise you will sink. When ice swimming, you always have the option of a quick exit if it gets too cold or uncomfortable. When ice swimming, you have to estimate the distance a little better because, depending on the location, you can’t just get to the edge of the pool and get out, but may still be a few minutes away from the shore. That alone can cause panic.

Ice swimming has already become a popular sport

In the Nordic countries of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Finland, Sweden and Russia, ice swimming is firmly rooted in the sports culture. The Ice Swimming World Championships were held in Rovaniemi (Finland) in 2014 with over 1,200 participants from many different countries. Typically, distances of between 25 and 1,000 meters are completed in ice-cold water. And of course it’s not about splashing around, but about speed.

Many ice and winter swimming competitions have been canceled in the recent past due to corona, but some organizers are starting again this 2022/23 season. Burghausen is home to one of the largest ice swimming events, where swimmers compete in a 25-metre pool in the Wöhrsee. Traditionally, hundreds of athletes compete in this event.

Experiences of a winter swimmer

You are usually alone when you go winter swimming. Firstly, there aren’t that many athletes who do winter swimming. Secondly, swimming in itself is a discipline where you often train alone.

There is hardly a sport that is cheaper but also more efficient. Almost no equipment is required – a safety buoy, a pair of swimming shoes and a swimming cap are all you need. The shoes are even optional, depending on where you swim. The time required is minimal, you can’t swim for long in these cold temperatures anyway. 10-15 minutes is a very good amount of time. The payoff: your circulation gets up to full speed very quickly, your fat burning will exceed that of any other sport in terms of the time invested and your mind will be crystal clear and focused. A beautiful lightness, euphoria and pleasant tiredness sets in automatically after ice swimming. You will sleep like a baby!