Ice cold embrace

high fives in icy waters

Maybe the recent ice swimming record claimed by Yekaterina Nekrasova under Lake Baikal has peaked your interest. Or maybe the more than 200,000 Muscovites that were said to have taken to the ice cold waters on Orthodox Epiphany last January has made you curious about the Russian phenomenon of ice swimming. Maybe you have heard about some of the health benefits that are said to come from this practice. 

There were around 200 places that the Moscow municipality readied for the Epiphany ice swimming this year. Moscow is still very much in the embrace of winter, so why not go have a look and maybe try something new - you are bound to find a place if you are interested. In Russia people that go ice or winter swimming are called ‘walruses’ (морж), so don’t be surprised if you come across the term. 

A few places to check out are listed here (Russian only - using a translation browser helps). Admittedly I still need to check some of them out myself - but they are definitely on my list!

We’ve also come across various ice holes in many other parks, with varying degrees of infrastructure - from nice cabins to basic containers to full open air. Just keep your eyes open when you walk past lakes and ponds

My heartbeat is already up as we approach the park with our favourite ice hole. It hasn’t gotten much easier over the few times that I have been going to the ice swimming there. The metro ride is long and while I am hot now, I know that coming back in an hour’s time, I will be grateful for it. In my bag I have an additional layer of woollen underwear, a towel, flip-flops, a flask with hot tea and some chocolate too. 

Currently it takes me a good hour for the journey there for the less than two minutes immersion, but it is worth it. We take it slowly, slowly going in. We are by no means conditioned (yet) and really are out of the water again after just a few strokes. Nevertheless the feeling afterwards once we are dry and warm again is indescribably exhilarating. We feel invigorated, alert, bright.

For us this new discovery of ice swimming will for ever be connecting us to Russia. It was our first ‘fully immersive’ cultural experience and a place were we found the wonderful Russian hospitality and warmth. 

Disclaimer:

Ice swimming is an activity with risks and dangers. Be aware and prepare. As a start you could read more here https://www.outdoorswimmingsociety.com/category/survive/cold/. 

Photo credit: author’s own