Fire and Ice

Tampere, Finland

So the day with Ville and fresh air poisoning was not done. But what was coming was one of the most frightening things I have ever contemplated doing – winter swimming.

Yes I know I said biking down a mountain in Montana was scary but at least I was warm!

Michael had already jumped in a frozen lake and watching the video I was petrified and he wasn’t really helpful or encouraging as he told me he had to get me on video because he thought it would be hilarious.

Great.

I am the first to admit that I am a wimp but I am also ridiculously stubborn and I was not going to wuss out especially as I had learned that Ville had never done it either.

He is Finnish! 

This sauna was co-ed and so hot they had these special slats of wood to bring in so you didn’t burn your butt when you sat down (we didn’t know this at first and learned that the hard way).

My strategy was to stay in as long as possible so the water was refreshing.

Finally it was time, either pass out from the heat or run outside and into the water….

And I did it!

You didn’t have any doubt did you? I have to say it was one million times easier than I thought it would be.  

In my mind going from extreme heat to cold would shock the body in a terrible way but instead it just felt energetic and I can see why people go back and forth, in fact I half contemplated going back in and out 5 times so I would beat Hecktic Travels record of four.

But then it started to get dark and we wouldn’t be on video so I knew they would never believe I beat their record.

Instead we just went back inside and had some beer. 

If you cannot view the video above check out Tampere Ice Swimming.

Disclosure: I was a guest of the Finnish Tourist Board as part of a Navigate Media Group project. They did not request that I write a favourable review or think I needed a shot of vodka before going into the icy water for winter swimming.