Winter Swimming in Finland

Near Frozen Water is Inviting for Some Hardy Swimmers.

Feb 16, 2007 Lisa Sabol-Sikorski

In the US and Canada winter swimmers are called Polar Bears, but in Finland they are just called Finns. Why and how people swim in near freezing water during the winter.

An ice hole in a lake…sub zero temperatures…you in your bathing suit, a wool cap, gloves, and shoes…for some people, these are the perfect conditions for a quick dip in the water. Winter swimming is an activity that never occurred to me before moving in Finland, but those who partake in the chilly waters absolutely love it and are enthusiastic when they talk about their hobby.

My Finnish friend Katariina is the winter swimming ring leader among a group of international friends in Helsinki. Katariina has been winter swimming for three years and she says that “every time I get out of the water, I feel I have a new level of energy.” Katariina has persuaded many Finns and foreigners to try this sport and she has a core group of winter swimming converts who swim with her twice per week. She convinced me this fall to try it, but I have since become pregnant, so I will have to wait until next winter to test my nerves in front of the ice cold water.

The best conditions for winter swimming are negative 15 to negative 20 degree Celsius (+5 to -4 Fahrenheit) temperatures with no wind. Katariina says that the hardest part, especially for winter swimming virgins, is to psych yourself into taking the plunge, but once you do, it feels great. Swimmers only stay in the water for 30-60 seconds before getting out, getting dressed, and heading to the comfort of their warm cars. Winter swimmers do not submerge their heads in the water lest they risk getting hypothermia.

Katariina says that foreigners who go winter swimming feel proud of themselves and happy that they have tried it, at least once. Besides the sauna and Nordic skiing, winter swimming has to be one of the most quintessentially Finnish/Scandinavian experiences you can have.

The copyright of the article Winter Swimming in Finland in N Europe Travel is owned by Lisa Sabol-Sikorski. Permission to republish Winter Swimming in Finland in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.