Ice Swimming In Finland (Avantouinti): Crazy Things Finns Do In Winter
Image: Aku Pöllänen
Ice swimming in Finland. Why the Finns do this I never know. Many people have told me that the after effect of the experience is quite enjoyable. I don’t get that. According to them, the iced water actually feels nice because it is warm compared to the snow.
Ice Swimming in Finland (Avantouinti in Finnish) is one of the very many things the Finns do that some Foreigners find intriquing, some do not wish to venture into it at all, and others, like myself, do not get it.
Like why would anyone want to take an ice bath? I am a warm blooded person, so I take every opportunity I get to be warm and stay warm. Well not for long.
It all started after school one cold Finnish Spring but feels like Winter day when one of my friends at school suggested that we all go Ice swimming. Oh yeah! Let’s go take a dip in the ice. I have been urged for many years to try the famous Ice swimming in Finland. Haha! I didn’t give in to the pressure. So on this day, our friend’s suggestion about Ice swimming got some enthusiastic responses like “yeah let’s do it!” but more of “hell nos”, mine being “hell no, no way!”.
Here is the thing: I have always thought that Ice swimming in Finland is a terribly freezing crazy idea. Why the Finns do this I never know. Many people have told me that the after effect of the experience is quite enjoyable. I don’t get that.
According to them, the iced water actually feels nice because it is warm compared to the snow. So when you get out of the water and have a Sauna afterwards, you feel your blood warming up again and it is quite refreshing. This is why many people love Ice swimming in Finland.
Okay, did you get that? Well, I still don’t understand it myself. Anyways, let’s rewind back to this particular day. At first I said hell no, no way. But then I saw this as an opportunity to finally try this ice swimming thing for myself and experience that special feeling they all talk about. So off we went. And we even went into the Iced water more than once. Oh what a day! Did I feel the rush or pump in my blood? Well, let’s say more in my bones and even much more coming out of my mouth.
And that can not be compared to those coming out of my friend’s mouth. Haha! Boy! That was an experience! Was Ice swimming a good or a bad experience for me? Hmm…well watch the video and find out for yourself.
Ice Swimming! Foreigners Trying Crazy Things Finns Do
How about you? What do you think about Ice swimming? For real have you taken a dip in the iced water (Avanto) before? How was it? Let me know in the comments section.
Love,
Olivia.
PS: If you like reading about Finnish cultural practices, here is a post you will enjoy: Juhannus: How Midsummer Weekend Is Celebrated In Finland; Best Of Finnish Cultural Practices
Written by Olivia Kumpula
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