Winter swimming in icy water is popular in many countries. Someone observes religious rites (epiphany bathing), someone considers it a necessary procedure for hardening and improving the body, and someone just has fun.
Let’s learn a little about the history of winter swimming, and also look at the fun traditions of winter swimming among different peoples.
The history of the appearance of winter swimming
The history of swimming in icy water goes back several thousand years. Our distant ancestors were forced to overcome various water obstacles during hunting or fishing. Historians have found that the ancient people had a tradition of dipping children in icy water, which then took root. This was done in order to immediately accustom the child to the harsh climatic conditions.
The history of swimming in icy water goes back several thousand years
But not only the northern peoples were fans of hardening. In ancient China, Greece, Egypt and Rome, where the climate is not harsh, bathing in cold water was practiced. The famous Greek physician Hippocrates stated: “Warm water relaxes, and only cold water stimulates.”
The subsequent adoption of Christianity not only did not weaken the interest in winter swimming, but also spurred it. Epiphany falls just in the winter, so bathing has become both useful and God-pleasing.
Epiphany bathing
In all subsequent periods, winter swimming also took place in one form or another. It is also interesting that many famous historical figures were not averse to plunge into the ice hole.
What is the current situation with winter bathing? Have you changed the tradition?
How are the traditional winter swims in different countries
As mentioned above, polar bear swims can be exciting. An example of this is the annual mass bathing. The event can be attended by both experienced polar bears and beginners who are hungry for extreme sports. As a rule, such bathing is timed to Christmas and takes place on some days from December 24 to January 2.
Winter swimming in England
On December 25, residents and visitors of Devon, or rather the city of Exmet, come to the local beach in order not just to swim in the cold water of the bay. In 1960, six friends decided to fulfill their dream and make a joint ” ice ” swimming. More than fifty years have passed, and the tradition lives and develops. The simple swimming was joined by the carnival element. Just the people you meet on the beach that day: snowmen, Santa Claus, elves, angels. Those who did not want to invent anything, put on a beautiful swimsuit, Santa hat or raised the British flag. The swims are also charitable, raising funds for various foundations that help homeless people, animals, etc.
Christmas bathing in England
The residents of London do not lag behind their neighbors. Christmas swimming in Hyde Park Lake has been going on for over a hundred years. The tradition appeared in 1864. Starting from this date, every year Londoners come to Lake Serpentine: someone just to watch, and someone to participate in a hundred-meter swim. The peculiarity of this race is that no one will be allowed into the water, only members of the club with special training. The event begins with the fact that all participants are given rubber caps with numbers. Then they are accompanied by the sounds of bagpipes and applause on the bridges. The club elder gives the signal, and the swim begins. There are no strict rules: you can swim in any style, just to get to the finish line. And the requirement, most likely, is one – endurance. After all, the air and water temperatures hover around 0 ° C (32°F). The winner will be awarded the Peter Pan Cup. At first glance, a very strange choice of character – a boy who does not want to grow up. There are several explanations for why Peter Pan. Some believe that it was Peter, because the author of the fairy tale James Barry was present at Snake Lake and patronized the club “polar bears”, others are inclined to believe that swimming in itself is childish and interests those who do not want to grow up.
Winter swimming in Canada and USA
On January 1, every year in Canada, Vancouver celebrated the “polar bears” holiday.
In 1920, Peter Pantages founded a winter swimming club and named it the “Polar Bear Swimming Club”(“The Polar Bear Club”). The first swim, which took place, as you might guess, on January 1, was commanded by Peter himself. Under his careful guidance, several people swam in the English Bay. The participants and the audience liked the show so much that they decided to hold the swim annually. Peter’s family, which organizes the event, does not change the venue, only there were almost 3,000 swimmers, and even more spectators.
The format was also adjusted over time by the current costumes. So if you get to the Vancouver Polar Bear swim, don’t be afraid to meet a running shark man, tomato man, Godzilla, or countless Santa Claus. These people should be given credit: the temperature of the water in which they will plunge at this time is from + 3 to + 8 °C (37.4-46.4°F).
Interesting: among Russians and Poles, cold lovers are called “walruses”, among Norwegians and Finns – “seals”, and among Canadians and Americans – “polar bears”.
Winter “Polar Bear” swims in Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Winter bathing in Bulgaria
The inhabitants of the Balkan Peninsula also like to plunge into the icy water. Holy Jordan-that’s what they called Baptism. And, of course, on this day you can not do without mass bathing in the ice hole. Therefore, we can say that for Bulgarians, this is more of a religious event in nature. Many interesting traditions are associated with this holiday, but all of them are somehow connected with water. For example, Bulgarians dive into the ice hole for a reason, but to find a cross. Those who are lucky enough to do this will be healthy and happy for a year.
Winter swimming in Bulgaria
Fans of winter extreme sports in China swim in the Shenyang River. In Italy, daredevils dive into the Tiber. In the Netherlands, they make mass swims in the North Sea. The Scots are in the Fort. Representatives of the German club “Berlin Seals” annually swim in Lake Oranke on December 25. And this is not the whole list of countries that have hardy ” polar bears “and seasoned”seals”.
Are there any ice water lovers among our readers?
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