Natalia Arietta.
– I have to confess that I used to watch videos of people taking ice baths online, and I thought they were crazy, and now that I’ve done it, I’m the crazy one.
I’m talking to Natalia Arrieta, after her plunge into the icy water at Kurjovikens Havsmarina, Skelleftehamn.
In June last year Natalia and her family relocated from Colombia to Kåge, after her husband accepted a job at Northvolt as a maintenance engineer.
– My daughter and I hadn't even seen snow before we moved here. I’m from a city called Barrancabermeja, where the winter temperatures range from 25c to 35C, so the ice bath was a challenge! I was calm underwater and proud of how long I lasted. It was a unique experience that reminded me a little self-belief helps you achieve anything, says Natalia.
Natalia, along with around 25 others were at an ice bathing event organised by Expats & Friends Association (EFA) in collaboration with Kjuroviken on Ice. The event was attended by EFA members from Bangladesh, USA, Venezuela, Turkey, Colombia, Portugal, India, England, and New Zealand. For many it was their first experience of ice bathing, whereas others had tried it before and were keen to beat their personal bests and brave the cold for a few seconds more.
EFA chair Marina Georgescu tells me:
– We offer ice bathing, so people can experience unique activities here in northern Sweden. Although ice bathing originated in Finland, it's become popular in Skellefteå. We want people to embrace the winter, not fear the cold, and see this season as a time for exciting new experiences.
Marina wasn't too sure if she wanted to try ice bathing.
Marina Georgescu.
– No way José, is what I thought before considering trying it. I was curious, but I wasn’t sure I wanted to do it. I wasn’t afraid, but I was worried about what would happen to my body, how I’d feel. Getting into the water you get this prickly sensation in your body, which is very nice. I really enjoyed that. I’m surprised I lasted as long as I did in the water.
Many of those who bathed had similar reactions to Marina and were surprised that once they submerged themselves it was not quite as cold as they thought it would be.
Aylin Sogut and Linas Repcys, a couple from Turkey and Lithuania, respectively, told me:
Aylin Sogut climbs down the ladder whilst her husband Linas Repcys films her.
– This is our fourth time ice dipping. One time it was -14C and there was no sauna. If there’s no sauna you need to hurry up to dress yourself after getting out of the water, because you can't feel your fingertips, so you're fighting against time. If you have a sauna close by, you're lucky.
For Beytullah Efeyik from Turkey who has lived in Skellefteå for 14 months, it was his first attempt. He plans to try it again before moving to Spain next month. His tips to those thinking of trying it:
– Don't think too much before getting in the water and definitely don’t get in the sauna first! That’s what I did and soon regretted it, says Beytullah.
Beytullah Efeyik.
For Ponkumar Santhosh Elango, from India, controlled breathing seemed to help him.
– I don't think there was anything in particular going through my mind when I entered the water. If anything, it felt warmer to be in the water than out in the cold windy air. Once I was in, it was really calm and relaxing. I think the trick is to calm your mind, focus on controlled breathing and take it slow. That worked well for me, says Ponkumar.
He added:
– I would definitely recommend it to other people. You will never know if it's your thing until you try it for yourself. For those with poor blood circulation in their feet and hands, I would recommend wearing special swimming gloves and socks. I had to wear the socks for my second dip.
"Once I was in, it was really calm and relaxing. I think the trick is to calm your mind, focus on controlled breathing and take it slow. That worked well for me” says Ponkumar Santhosh Elango.
Many of the ice bathers I spoke to were enthusiastic to take another dip soon, with some even dipping twice that day.
Mattias Sjöstedt, who runs Kjuroviken on Ice, is there to make sure everyone is safe during the event. His family have had a tradition of bathing on New Years Eve for years.
According to Mattias, winter bathing can be a little like a drug, as you get a bit of a kick when you submerge yourself, and you feel happy and excited.
– Winter swimming isn't always as cold as you think, especially with a hot sauna nearby. The key is to relax and enjoy it, not make it a competition. Few people stop after just one dip – most are hooked and go back for more. Last year, even with a fantastic, frigid winter, our coldest swim was -34°C, enjoyed by a brave group from England!
Malin Åkerström takes the plunge, with Mattias Sjöstedt on the right.
If you’re curious to try ice bathing join the Facebook group Vinterbad i Skellefteå, who bathe weekly throughout the winter. If you’d rather spectate, be sure to go and watch the Dark & Cold Open Scandinavian Championship in winter swimming at Kjurovikens Marina, Skelleftehamn on February 22-23.
Want to join the competition? Registration is open until 10 February. Register here.
More photos here:
The light was spectacular as the sun set.
Left, Zulimer Vazquez and right, Natalia Arrieta.
The sauna was welcomed after ice bathing.
Korey Snodgrass.
Zulimer Vazquez.
Sima Haddadin.
Left, Zulimer Vazquez and right, Natalia Arrieta.
Ponkumar Santhosh Elango.
Marina Georgescu.
Marina Georgescu.
Aylin Sogut.
Aylin Sogut.
The light was spectacular as the sun set.
Marina Georgescu.
Zulimer Vazquez.
Natalia Arrieta descends whilst her husband Alexander García and daughter Antonella García Arrieta watch her.
Zulimer Vazquez.
Malin Åkerström.
Aylin Sogut.
Korey Snodgrass.
Mattias Sjöstedt runs Kjurovikens on Ice.
Ponkumar Santhosh Elango.
Ufuk Atagün.
Guests enjoyed coffee, sweet buns and sausages by the fire.
Malin Åkerström.
Korey Snodgrass and Zulimer Vazquez warm up by the fire.
Natalia Arrieta enjoying the sunlight.
Those not bathing still had fun.
Aylin Sogut outside the sauna.
Guests enjoyed coffee, sweet buns and sausages by the fire.
The sky became even more impressive as the sun set.