This past weekend, 100 international swimmers competed in the GB International Ice Swimming Association Championships at Sandford Parks Lido in Cheltenham. The competitors swam in water that was approximately five degrees Celsius (41 degrees Fahrenheit) and were accompanied by specially trained physicians to ensure their safety.
The competition drew swimmers from the United Kingdom, Ireland, New Zealand, and Australia, including medalists from Team GB at the most recent IISA World Championships. Michelle Lane, a champion from Essex, was among these athletes, winning medals for being the fastest female in the 1000-meter freestyle and 500-meter front crawl. She discussed the difficult yet rewarding experience of ice swimming, stating, “It will be terrible. It will be difficult, but worthwhile.”
Laura Nesbitt, a swimming coach, won gold in her age group over the weekend and praised the sport’s social aspect, noting that it supports a crucial lifestyle change post-Covid. Over the past decade, Simon Griffiths, the editor-in-chief of Outdoor Swimmer Magazine, has witnessed a growing awareness of the mental and physical health benefits of swimming in cold water, with stories of life-altering experiences in cold water being shared.
Ice Viking Fenwick Ridley stated that he enjoyed returning to Sandford Parks Lido and competing again. “It’s great to return and compete here again,” he said. It’s all about running into the friends you made in the cold water.”
100 competitors, including medalists from Team GB, participated in the GB International Ice Swimming Association Championships at Sandford Parks Lido in Cheltenham over the weekend. Specially trained doctors ensured the safety of swimmers from the United Kingdom, Ireland, New Zealand, and Australia who competed in water around five degrees Celsius (41 degrees Fahrenheit). Michelle Lane, from Essex, won medals for being the fastest woman in the 1000-meter freestyle and 500-meter front crawl.
The competition also highlighted the significant mental and physical health benefits of ice swimming, with Outdoor Swimmer Magazine editor Simon Griffiths noting an increasing awareness of these benefits in recent years. Laura Nesbitt, a swimming coach, also commented on the social aspect of the sport, noting that it supports a significant lifestyle change post-Covid. This weekend, Fenwick Ridley, also known as the “Ice Viking,” is excited to return to the pool and compete.
The GB International Ice Swimming Association Championships were a resounding success, with athletes not only competing but also discussing the significance of ice swimming for mental health and well-being.
