A little while ago, I would never have imagined myself training for winter swimming, let alone taking an ice‑cold plunge as part of a world championship relay. Yet last Friday I found myself standing in Oulu’s Raatti with my sister, a red wristband on my arm and a knot of excitement in my stomach, ready to step into something completely new.
Almost a World Record
My sister and I ended up in a group that started close to the very end, which meant I got to experience true night‑time ice swimming. Oulu didn’t quite gather as many participants as hoped, so the relay world record held by Tallinn stayed intact. But we came incredibly close. Oulu brought together 762 swimmers and covered 19,050 metres in total. Only 45 swims short of the record. If you want a glimpse of the atmosphere, there’s a recording on Youtube.
Waiting, Atmosphere and Music
We arrived at the Raatti area a little after half past ten and picked up our red wristbands. Changing clothes, queuing and waiting took their time. In the end we stood in line for nearly an hour before reaching the competitors’ gathering area.
Inside, the atmosphere was warm and cheerful. People chatted, laughed and soaked in the moment. Rock and metal played in the background, and every now and then a Finnish dance tune drifted in – not exactly my usual playlist, but somehow it fit the mood perfectly.
Onto the Ice‑Cold Lanes After Midnight
The waiting time in the gathering area was shorter. About ten swimmers were let through at a time, and as one group left, the next stepped in. When our turn finally came and we walked out into the cold night air, the nerves hit properly.
Before swimming, we were guided into another waiting container. I had heard they usually took four swimmers at a time, but in our case, six of us moved forward. It was already past midnight when we finally reached the lanes.
My sister and I went to the same end of the pool. The atmosphere was both intense and warm‑spirited. She started first, swimmer number 607. I was number 609. When she set off, the cheering was loud, and when it was my turn, it felt surprisingly comforting to swim toward that same encouragement.
The Moment in the Water and the Reality of Gear
The moment of stepping into the water and starting to swim was the best part of the whole experience. For a brief while, I could simply be in the water, and it felt surprisingly calm and natural. I could have gone for another round, but one thing held me back. I am not yet fully comfortable with the winter swimming boots I chose. They might be a size too big, and they filled with water so quickly that they felt heavy and uncertain. I even worried they might slip off mid‑swim.
Climbing out of the water was the coldest moment, and the water sloshing inside the boots made my steps awkward. The long neoprene boots were also difficult to take off when they were wet, tight, and full of water. It was a small but very real reminder that gear matters, and that I still need to find the right equipment for myself.
Saunas and a Small Disappointment
After our swims we toured the saunas on site. The first one was cramped and ran out of firewood. The second, a tent sauna, had already lost its steam. In the end, we decided that a warm shower and heading home was the best option.
What Stayed With Me
My sister already gets that euphoric, uplifting feeling from winter swimming. I don’t. Not yet. Maybe it will come with time. Maybe I’ll learn to be at peace with the cold. The next world championships will be held in Argentina, which feels a bit far. But the winter open water events in Lithuania next year could be a realistic goal. Having a goal always helps with training.
I don’t think I would ever have ended up at an ice hole without this opportunity and the gentle push from outside. The idea had been sitting quietly in the back of my mind for a long time, but I needed that spark. Now it feels like this won’t be the end. I just need to decide what the next step will be.
A Reflection on the Versatility of Water
I’ve been thinking about how incredibly versatile water is. Once you learn to swim and truly enjoy being in the water, a whole world opens up beyond competitive swimming or adult masters swimming. Through water you can discover diving, water polo, underwater rugby or artistic swimming. You can take your swimming from the pool to open water, long‑distance swimming, winter swimming or scuba diving. All of these share one essential foundation. You need to be able to stay in the water calmly and comfortably. Once that happens, you can forget the water itself and focus on the movement, the feeling and the joy of what you’re doing in it.
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