If you’re in some weird country with weird traditions, why not try them out? That must have been the idea of a CNN Sports anchor Christina Macfarlane…. or her producers.
Macfarlene was shooting a couple of episodes of the popular show Alpine Edge at World Cup Levi last week, far north at a ski resort in Finnish Lapland. Somehow, she ended up trying the good old dip in a lake from a hole in the ice, assisted by an experienced enthusiast.
This obviously freezing tradition of a sometimes sawed holed in the ice goes under the name avanto in Finnish, vak in Swedish.
Dipping into ice cold water is traditionally said to have health benefits for blood circulation and the like. However, recent research shows that cold swimming is associated with a higher risk of strokes, but we don’t know if that’s true for Finnish style dips.
So, dip, don’t stay in the water, for goodness sakes. Also, protip, don’t submerge your head.
Personally, I haven’t tried just going into the ice cold water, but I enjoy it when combined with sauna… In conjunction with sauna, you can try going into a hole in the ice couple of times in a row, followed by warming up. If you get a taste for it. It’s a nice contrast and will set you off on quite an endorphin kick.
Either way, you’re guaranteed a good night’s sleep afterwards. Also, just look at the smile on this woman’s face in the photo below. That smugness just screams “legal high”.
Traditional Finnish swimming in a hole in the ice, avanto. Image credit.
If you have the opportunity to try something like this, make sure you’ve got company and are on one of those little piers common at cottages, public beaches and the like. And, talk to your doctor beforehand if you have a heart condition.
Finnish lakeside pier with a hole in the ice. Image credit.
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But isn’t it a thing that mostly belongs with going to the sauna? Like, coming out, dip, go back in for the next round? Not just dipping like that. Al least that’s what I thought.
No, many people do it every day, often before going to work. Actually it’s probably better that way. Most people don’t have an available sauna by the lake, either.
Not bad for a beginner! Not bad at. Must be that famed stuff upper lip 🙂
If anyone wants to come along and experience this for yourselves at this very spot then you need this website: http://www.immelkartano.com/
Helsinki has 14 winter swimming places. They are managed by the winter swimming societies , I think.
I have to say that this young woman was very brave. I am basic finn and I have done it only once in my lifetime
I agree. So many people say this is good for health but I read it’s also good for stroke and heart attackes
Only if you have poor health and heart problems. There has been made several studies about “avantouinti” (ice dipping), and about 99% of them tell you it’s safe and actually good for your health. Every one of my ice dipping friends/relatives have exceptionally good health and they almost never get colds.
Some yrs ago I used to “winter swim” and what a wonderful feeling after it! And no SAUNA before or after ? The colder weather the better feeling ?
Brave or stupid can’t decide. What’s the drink the women give her?
That shot of the reporter in the title pic makes her look like the ghost in Ringu/The Ring
Love the women, wrapped in fur, egging her on. Plus the oh so traditional kuksa drink. Happens to me every time.
I’ll bet some clueless soul out there thinks that hole in the ice can be shared…
Nothing crazy about this….unlesss you don’t like freezing to death
Ice swimming is everything swimming should not be. If there’s ice on water that screams don’t swim in me :):)
I’ve got no comments on ice swimming, I was just checking out the hot reporter! ?