THE EUPHORIA OF ICE SWIMMING

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The Euphoria of Ice Swimming

Thousands of Finns are passionate ice swimmers. However, it would be hard to find anyone more into the cold depths than Johanna Nordblad from Helsinki.

What started as a form of pain relief quickly progressed into daring unassisted dives under the ice. The former downhill mountain biker assures us that her sport is not about performance. What captivates her is the absolute peace and euphoria that follow a dive, something that can be experienced by first-time visitors as well as ardent enthusiasts.

Lakeland

The largest Lake District in Europe: In a scarcely populated country there’s enough scenery and shoreline for all, allowing you to easily lose yourself in thought or be inspired by the vast clear lakes, intricately splintered by islands, isthmuses and green spits.

Lakeland

Photo: Elina Manninen

“I first got into cold water after my doctor recommended it. I had broken my leg mountain biking three years earlier, and the pain had not subsided despite multiple surgeries. The doctor thought to try cryotherapy, and it actually worked – both physically and mentally.”

“Your first seconds in the freezing water might feel terrible, but you get used to it very quickly. Soon, any negative sensations disappear and the cold only feels pleasant. After you surface, a warmth envelops you, and you feel more alive than ever.”

“The winters in Finland are truly beautiful, especially at sea. I love the silence and infinite landscapes. I feel at home there.”

“What happens underwater actually isn’t the most important thing about freediving for me. The overall experience matters the most: going out to sea or to a lake, heating up the sauna and enjoying the solitude of nature.”

“Many people hate the darkness of winter, but I enjoy it. There is an inviting calm that reminds me of freediving. The peace and quiet offer such a lovely contrast to hectic city life.”

“Ice swimmers in Finland are lucky, as we have nearly 200,000 lakes, all of which are different from each other. There are cold and warm waters as well as green, blue and black lakes. If I wanted to, I could dive in a different lake every time.”

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THE EUPHORIA OF ICE SWIMMING

Watch the video