High 5: The small matter of winter swimming

1. Finns

IT’S HARDLY surprising that Russia is often regarded as the home of cold-water swimming, and while the temperature in Moscow this week ranged between a balmy five to 25 degrees, it’s often colder in sunny Finland, where this week it was between zero and 11 degrees. Which is perhaps why — along with the population’s propensity to nude-it-up — Finland is the nation most commonly associated with winter swimming. Finnish competitions attract thousands of entrants who cavort in pools carved from ice while the air temperature plummets as low as minus 45 degrees Celsius. After splashing around, everyone retreats to a log sauna, where the usual Finnish festivities ensue. That doesn’t mean the Russians have thrown in the towel when it comes to matching Finland’s finest, as shown by this picture of Russia’s Olew Federzkof at the 2004 winter swimming world championships. The titles have been held annually since 2000 and have helped promote the sport, which long-time participants claim provides an invigorating and occasionally euphoric experience — in fact, they say, the ultimate high. Now we can’t be sure, but judging by the look on Olew’s dial, there’s every chance some parts of him are in retreat rather than reaching new heights.

2. Brrrride

FINLAND’S claim as the centre of the winter-swimming universe has been challenged in recent years, with equally nutty South Londoners deciding to get in on the act. Perhaps inspired by the deeds of Britain’s Lewis Gordon Pugh — who has swum in all five of the world’s oceans — the city of Tooting Bec hosted the world championships in 2008, the first time it was held outside Finland. With the water temperature a comparatively reasonable four degrees, the event attracted 680 swimmers from 21 countries. The official stroke was “head up” breaststroke, which organisers see as a way of levelling the field between elite pool swimmers and those hardier ice swimmers from the far north. The stroke apparently also has the benefit of retaining more heat in the body. But the event wasn’t all hard graft, with a water performance competition also attracting some unusual entrants. The winning team was from — you guessed it — Finland, with a wedding-themed pool story called “Icy Glow”. This bloke could well be the groom, although he could also pass for St Kilda’s most visible fan, Molly Meldrum.

3. Swan Lake

YOU would think most people contemplating a dip in frigid waters might like to get it over and done with as quickly as possible. Well not at Shenyang, in China’s north-east Liaoning province, which boasts 300 members of the China Winter Swimming Association. Before their annual New Year swim, the participants must first endure a dance performance on the surface of the frozen lake. In 2006, it was tutus and dumpling legs as these ladies rolled out their version of Swan Lake. Given China has successfully staged an Olympic Games, the world championships can’t be far behind now the event has been pried out of Finland’s grasp. The event is already heading east — in January 2010 it will be held on the frozen lakes of Bled, in Slovenia. The city may not have dumplings, but is being promoted on the event website as “a jewel among the Alpine resorts, majestic mountains reflected on the lake’s surface, sun, tranquillity and fresh air arouse pleasant feelings”.

4. Blue all over

WINTER swimming has one or two rules that must be respected, and these blokes competing in the annual New Year’s Day polar bear swim in Vancouver illustrate these better than most — don’t turn blue! Given people have different cold tolerance levels, it’s important that all swimmers acclimatise before entering the freezing water. Swimmers are warned to familiarise themselves with the conditions before taking a dip and ensure they are able to get out easily and quickly. Diving is forbidden because it can lead to cold shock, and organisers recommend wearing a rubber cap. If you shiver for more than a few minutes or continue to feel cold, you have apparently stayed in too long. And while those crazy Russian swimmers love their vodka, drinking alcohol and swimming is never a good idea. Get all this right without dying and the sport’s aficionados say that you’ll boost your immune system and circulation, and possibly even turbo-charge your libido.

5. In the drink

THE WINTER swimming season in Australia begins about now and, in Melbourne, hardy “icebergers” regularly brave the waters of the bay at Brighton Beach and Mentone. But in recent years, it’s been our AFL footballers who are the most high-profile exponents of winter swimming, fronting up at Port Melbourne and St Kilda beaches for morning rehabilitation sessions. However, hardcore types may note that Geelong’s Cameron Mooney is cheating somewhat. Not only are hoodies and towels considered poor form, but that latte he’s clasping is a definite no-no.

Via: TheAge