Cold water swimming can be dangerous if you’re not acclimatised, but if you train, your body will adapt and you may be able to enjoy health benefits.
A New Year’s Day ‘polar bear plunge’ to raise funds for charity in Canada. An ice swim to celebrate the Epiphany in Russia. A dip in cold water to cool off after a sauna session in Finland. It seems like an awful lot of people are voluntarily subjecting themselves to cold water. And in many cases they aren’t just jumping in and out – they’re staying in to swim.
Cold water swimming is growing increasingly popular. Swim clubs around the world are organizing winter swims, and competitions are offered at all levels. The biannual Winter Swimming World Championships, last held in March 2020 in February, drew 1,052 participants from 42 countries.
What’s the attraction of an activity that seems like it should be downright miserable? Cold-water swimmers say it invigorates them and makes them feel more alive. The endorphin rush gives them a natural high, and even just a short swim in the morning can keep them feeling energetic all day long.
Proponents of cold water swimming cite many other health benefits as well, though most have not been extensively researched. Evidence suggests that regular cold…
