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Denmark Diary: Swimming in ice cold water
In Denmark dipping in the ice cold sea during winter is an exciting activity. Photo by Anne M Sanyu.
What you need to know:
The freezing cold winter calls for extra warm clothing no doubt, however the Danes dare to take a dip in the sea even in the coldest of weathers. The experience causes quite an adrenaline rush.
During the winter, all I want to do, is to curl up in a warm blanket, with a nice mug of tea and a great book, and this I thought would be what people would normally prefer to do. But I soon found out, that Danes have a peculiar love for the cold. The Danes take part in an outdoor activity which involves swimming in ice cold water that is zero degrees or even less. This activity is called winter bathing.
At first this idea sounded absurd to me. There is nothing humorous or entertaining about swimming in cold water, so why would anyone torment their bodies in the name of recreational activity? It takes time to understand why the Danes do this. Winter bathing basically involves going in to a sauna that is around 90 degrees, soaking in the warmth and then running to the sea for a dip of three to five minutes depending on how much your body can stand the cold. Some people prefer to do it naked while others wear a swimming costume or under wear.
This activity is popular and considered a custom that many cold loving Danes look forward to when the winter approaches. The colder the water, the better it is for the body after the sauna, as the effect of the cold water gives the body a shock and its ability to stand the cold, as one friend of mine told me. Winter bathing I was told, has its health benefits, as it keeps one less stressed, less fatigued and more vigourous. Experts say it gives you a better memory, and you feel more energetic and active, after the activity.
My friends once invited me to the Viking club where most people go for winter bathing for a swim, just when it was coming to spring and the water was a little bit warmer, around 10 degrees. Although I had declined the invitation several times, this time I agreed, with a bit of hesitation in my mind as I thought “curiosity will indeed kill the cat”!
First was a round in the sauna which was steaming hot, then a jump in the cold sea. As I dipped myself in to the water, I felt a cold rush of adrenaline through my body that was almost like an awakening. It felt so invigorating and fresh, like I had received a new body every time I dipped my body into the water. Never had I imagined I would do something like that. For once I was glad to be open-minded to try out and experience what was different around me.
