Ice swimming is commonly enjoyed by wild ducks but also by certain Finns, such as those who take a regular dive into the icy waters of the outdoor centre of Kuusijärvi in Vantaa.

Take a plunge through the ice in Kuusijärvi.

THOUGH you may be surprised to hear that a 30-minute bus trip from central Helsinki can get you out of Finland’s capital into what seems a rural forest in Vantaa, the true bewilderment lies in what you will find at the other end. Lake Kuusijärvi beckons, even at this time of year. This has transformed the winter experience of many first-timers, an apparent torture method put to pleasurable use.

Kuusijärvi provides all you might expect from a swim-and-sauna combination. Electric saunas at different temperature levels and a traditional smoke sauna nicely complement the chilly plunges, although roughly one-third of the swimmers choose to skip the hot room altogether and simply resort to the heated or even cold locker-rooms available. To work up a sweat beforehand, you can also opt for a snowshoe hike in the surrounding woods or a walk on the beaten trail network criss-crossing them, depending on the season. Swimsuit or trunks and towel can be rented. After running the place for over 30 years, this is how Kari Juntunen does it, without the slightest fuss.

Even though ice-swimming dwells deep in Finnish mythology, the wildly exaggerated tales of kilometre-long dives between two holes on a frozen-over lake are probably as unfamiliar to contemporary local youth as they are to international visitors.

The subtleties of submerging

Sudden exposure to ice-cold water causes a shock effect in the human body. Those with diagnosed heart or circulation issues or high blood pressure best talk to their physician prior to plunging in. Fortunately, when the chips are down, together with the temperature, you can rely on your metabolism to begin bailing you out. Your nervous system will respond with a barrage of pleasure hormones to help you cope with the physical strain, not distinguishing between accidental and self-induced immersion.

The longer you stay in the water the better the tingling sensation gets, and afterwards you feel all warm inside, say Eeva and Jennifer after their initial try-out at Kuusijärvi. Marja, a seasoned freshwater seal, likes hers with sauna when in for a longer time, and without on brief visits. Although she feels that ice swimming does appeal to reason as well, all of the interviewees underline the fun aspect, the trump that turns first-timers into regulars.

MIKA OKSANEN - HT
Pirkko Mattila