Do you like swimming? Where do you usually swim?
There are many places that people often use for swimming even though the most common place is in swimming pools. Swimming can also be a relaxing activity, or even add to your adrenaline by trying to swim in a place that is generally not a special place for swimming.
The time chosen by people to swim also usually adjusts the weather. Generally, people will go to swimming pools or other places to swim when summer comes. But have you ever thought about swimming in winter?
This was done in Russia. To add information to you, let’s look at swimming in winter: Russian ice bath in ice hole.
Swimming in winter? It sounds absurd. However, it happens Russia.
Russia is famous for having extreme winters. Winter there is colder and longer when compared with other countries that also occur winter. With such weather, is it possible to swim in winter in Russia? Well, maybe.
In Russia there is a tradition or some kind of festival for winter swimming. It was done on a certain date there. Have you ever heard or known about winter swimming in Russia?
Maybe there are some of you who don’t know about winter swimming in Russia. To add information to you and to answer your curiosity, this article will discuss about swimming in winter: Russian ice bath in ice hole.
- About Winter Swimming
Winter swimming is a swimming activity that is carried out by people during winter. This activity is usually carried out in an open location, either in a pool or other. Even in some countries there is winter swimming in river water, ponds or others that have previously been frozen (the ice above has broken down).
Winter swimming is also one of the activities carried out in Russia. This is more on the factor of tradition. There have been many competitions held for winter swimming. Even special swimmers who do winter swimming are there.
- The History of The Winter Swimming Tradition
You are certainly curious about when the winter swimming tradition in Russia began, right? It turned out that the tradition of swimming in the winter has been done since 1525. They did swim (or perhaps more appropriately called a shower) in an ice hole. This has become a very important traditional ceremony for local residents at that time.
Before embarking on the winter swimming tradition, people who want to participate must carry out a series of special processions. Outside of the traditions and customs that exist in Russia, winter swimming is considered as one way to “reduce” the body from cold and disease. Everyone has their own beliefs, right?
- Winter Swimming to Celebrate Epiphany in Russia
As discussed earlier, winter swimming in Russia is included in the religious traditions there. That was done to celebrate the Epiphany in Russia. But first, what is Epiphany?
Epiphany can be said as the Day of Baptism. Epiphany in Russia is celebrated on January 19. This was commemorated to mark the baptism of Jesus in the Orthodox Church. To celebrate the day, the tradition of winter swimming is usually accompanied by a priest.
For those of you who are participating in winter swimming rituals to celebrate Epiphany, you must follow a series of processions first. Winter swimming in ice holes from frozen lakes or rivers is believed to erase their sins and they will experience a feeling of spiritual rebirth. Participants were also monitored because of the extremely cold-water temperatures.
Water used for winter swimming is considered holy water because it has experienced a series of rituals before it. After the winter swimming celebration ended, the holy water was distributed to those who had participated in the ritual. The water is to be stored and used when they are sick or to bless themselves and the people around them.
- Tips Before You Winter Swimming in Russia
To be able to do winter swimming, you can’t just do it right away. There are some tips that you must do so that your body can adjust to the cold water. Here are some tips before you swim in winter:
- Practice adjusting to a cold shower. This is done so that your body can slowly adjust the temperature of water that can reach below 0. You must regularly adjust your body by alternately taking a shower using warm and cold water.
- Avoid consuming alcohol. You who want to do winter swimming are not advised to drink alcohol. Although it feels tempting because it can warm the body, but alcohol will make your blood flow from the core and move to other organs in the body. That can pose a risk.
And some other tips that will make you and your body ready to adjust to the cold water used for winter swimming.
- Health Risks of Winter Swimming
For those of you who want to do winter swimming, there are some health risks that you should know about. As we know that winter swimming can be very dangerous for people who are not accustomed to doing it. When the body begins to get exposed to cold water, it will be able to make a person’s body not ready to sink. In addition, cold water temperatures can also cause heart attacks and cardiac arrest. The risk of a fatal condition from the body that is not ready with sudden changes in temperature due to water with a temperature of minus 0 is a cause of death.
And maybe there are still some of all you need to know about the swimming in winter: Russian ice bath in ice hole that haven’t been listed above. I hope this article can really help you to find out all you need to know about the swimming in winter: Russian ice bath in ice hole.