At The Dead Of Winter: Taking the Plunge Into Icy Water
“I’m not cold” exclaims Marina Hunger, a member of the Berlin Seals (Berliner Seehunde) swimming club, as she takes a dip in icy Orankesee lake during the club’s traditional Christmas Day ice swim on December 25, 2010 in Berlin, Germany.
What would it take to get you into icy water in the dead of winter? Sane or not, swimmers around the world are taking the plunge.
In Bulgaria, members of the Eastern Orthodox Church take the plunge as part of Epiphany holiday celebrations (4). Germany's "Berlin Seals" (Berliner Seehunde) make the swim for what they believe are restorative health benefits (1). And the Dutch just do it for fun (2).
The article you just read is free because dedicated readers and listeners like you chose to support our nonprofit newsroom. Our team works tirelessly to ensure you hear the latest in international, human-centered reporting every weekday. But our work would not be possible without you. We need your help.
Make a gift today to help us reach our $25,000 goal and keep The World going strong. Every gift will get us one step closer.