- Title: Swimmers compete for the title of "Ice king of Chiemsee"
- Date: 15th January 2017
- Summary: BARREL WITH SIGN, READING (German) 'FRUIT TEA FOR ICE SWIMMERS' VARIOUS OF ICE SWIMMERS WARM UP WITH HOT TEA
- Embargoed: 29th January 2017 11:45
- Keywords: winter ice swimming Chiemsee
- Location: PRIEN, GERMANY
- City: PRIEN, GERMANY
- Country: Germany
- Topics: Human Interest/Brights/Odd News,Society/Social Issues
- Reuters ID: LVA0055Z6VSK9
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Some 30 swimmers competed for the title of "Ice king of Chiemsee" in the cold waters of the famous south German lake in Prien, near Munich, Germany on Saturday (January 14).
In driving snow, with the air temperature around freezing and the water around four degrees Celsius, the swimmers competed in several disciplines including breaststroke and freestyle between the two jetties set 50 metres apart in the 'Prienavera' pool in Lake Chiemsee. There was also a 'FunRun' without any timing for anybody who just wanted to experience the kick of the icy waters. Between the icy stints in the water, the swimmers could warm up with hot tea or in a tot tub on the shores of the lake.
Why they compete for the title and why they swim in the ice-cold waters in the first place will be unclear to many, but swimmer Mirko Roever told Reuters TV:
"Ice swimming is one of those things where you ask yourself: 'why are you doing this?' Well, for the health, the stamina. And it requires a bit of willpower. That is very important. To overcome your 'weaker self' and be able to say that you did it. That is the great thing about it."
The sport of ice or winter swimming has been much practised in Scandinavian and Baltic countries as well as China and Russia. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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