Ice Swimming in Finland: Why Finns Love It & How You Can Try It Too

Have you ever heard of ice swimming? In this video, I’m going to share everything you need to know about ice swimming in Finland.
Drop a comment below to let me know: Would you give it a try? If you have already done ice hole swimming, what was your experience like? ⬇️
00:00 intro
00:38 What is ice swimming
1:17 ice swimming terms in Finnish
2:04 why do people like ice hole swimming
3:10 5 tips to remember
5:20 tutorial on how to make an ice hole
8:00 outro
🔸 Check out my free cultural class about Finnish people: herfinland.teachable.com/p/fi...
🔸Check out this blog for more winter activities to try out in Lapland: herfinland.com/rovaniemi/
🔸 Follow me on Instagram: / her_finland

[@jussikemppainen7904]

When i was young . I was on a swimming training. Best part of a day was going after a hard trainining to ice cold pool. Hello from finland 😊

[@newtonheston8905]

I tried this on a cruise ship after a couple stops in Finland. Did the sauna first and then a dip in an icy bath. It wasn't as cold as an ice covered lake. But it was very bracing and I did feel very relaxed and comfortable afterward. Would definitely do it again. I think I need to see more of Finland. Thank you for your videos.

[@HerFinland]

Thank you!

[@garypeterson2079]

Varpo, loved the video and suggestions. Yes, I would like to try it. I use to enjoy sauna's when I was younger and lived in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Now adays I am in Idaho.....still get the winters but no sauna's that I have found. Kiitos!

[@garypeterson2079]

sorry Varpu.....

[@HerFinland]

Thank you for commenting! 🧡 Hope you can go to sauna soon!

[@LBUKRK]

As a brazilian man with hot blood, I’d love to try it. Let’s break the ice!

[@IgorCyclist]

Hi, i would definitely try. :) 👍💪

[@HerFinland]

Yes, it's so rewarding. :D

[@waynesmith3767]

Hannu, thanks ; nice to have someone else remember these remote events! There’s a Hannu in Helsinki whom I know via zoom and only via zoom; I’ve not met him in person the times I’ve been in Helsinki.

[@HerFinland]

Ok! Interesting! 😊

[@wstks-fmworldwide5390]

I'd give it a shot! We have traditional saunas (very enjoyable) in Northern Michigan, USA -- where lots of Finns settled -- but the opportunity to try a dip in icy water has not yet presented itself.

[@HerFinland]

Thank you so much for your comment!!🧡🙏

[@garypeterson2079]

I was raised in the Upper Pennisula and I remember that Lake Superior is about like ice hole swimming.....even in summertime it is frigid! We use to go down near the power plant discharge just because it was warm.

[@garomestamo]

😱🥶 I don't know if try this! 😅

[@HerFinland]

Hahhaaa, I totally get it! :D

[@vladel2263]

If I know my heart won't stop working, I would do that 😅

[@HerFinland]

Haha it feels like that for sure!

[@parsa3958]

awesome

[@HerFinland]

Thank you! 😊

[@TentoesMe]

Yup. Finns are definitely nuts!

[@HerFinland]

Thank you for commenting! I agree!! 🤣

[@paranoidandroid6711]

I'm addicted to cold water immersion. It really helps my anxiety,depression and ptsd.

[@HerFinland]

Thank you for your comment and sharing this!

[@71cat]

🥶🤪! I always wonder that you do that after sauna 🤔: as kid we were always told not to jump into water after have been sweating in the sun because of the risk of hydrocution…. 🤷‍♀️?

[@HerFinland]

Hmm Yes probably best not to jump in icy cold water but it should be ok if you take a brief period outside of the sauna before going straight into the water 🙏

[@eltonsalvador7620]

I want to do it again

[@HerFinland]

Lucky Ranch has a great avanto place for sure!

[@sabirhodzic6562]

Is your favorite color gray? Are you tired of the gloomy sky? Do you have wind for export? How many seasons do you have in a year?

[@HerFinland]

These are great questions! No, no, no & 4 😊

[@MegaG7777]

Varpu, thank you for being my ice swimming fairy godmother. I will pray for you and your family. Can’t wait to tell my wife. We live in Texas so for right now I go buy ice from the ice machine and dump it in the bathtub. The ice melts in under a minute even in cold water. Thank you for helping me with my health. Blessings of God in Christ Jesus Grady

[@HerFinland]

Aww! Thank you for commenting! 🧡

[@Nina-ry6rc]

wow ! so hard

[@HerFinland]

Yes it requires toughness for sure 😊💪

[@heathereton5582]

Yes to the sauna and no way to the ice swimming. I’m too wimpy! 🥶🥶🥶

[@HerFinland]

Haha 1 out of 2 , not bad 😂🇫🇮

[@JeanClaudeNoel]

Why is it easier for you to go ice swimming without a sauna? It seems to me that going into the cold water straight from the sauna would be easier as it would allow for a more gradual transition to the cold water. 😎

[@HerFinland]

Thank you for commenting! 🧡🇫🇮 Sometimes it's easier as you are not too comfortable in the sauna's warmth.

[@Nina-ry6rc]

swimming is my love I have not swimmed I'm really want to

[@HerFinland]

great!

[@vitay.3803]

I really want to try it! But I'm such a chicken. I need a friend 😂

[@HerFinland]

Yes! You always do this activity when you have a friend to do it with. If you are alone... it's so easy to skip it. :D

[@Nina-ry6rc]

like trying so hard to get into water

[@HerFinland]

Yes, It's hard to get in the water at first 😂

[@Nina-ry6rc]

oh ! why the water is yellow

[@HerFinland]

Hmm just the natural color of the water I guess 😆

[@Nina-ry6rc]

a ! So funny I guess it is a hard job

[@HerFinland]

Haha thanks for your comments 💙

[@Nina-ry6rc]

Oh I want to swim i don't know how will i drown ?

[@HerFinland]

If you don't know how to swim I do not recommend

[@TylerKrasting]

Were you shivering at all?

[@HerFinland]

Yes, I definitely was, a lot 😂

[@TylerKrasting]

@@HerFinland lol. You should do a video of you shivering post swim to show the aftermath. That'd be cool to see

[@Nina-ry6rc]

will i lose my life in the water like i can't breathe ? and i 'll die ?

[@HerFinland]

Not if you are safe

[@Nina-ry6rc]

i want but i 'm scared

[@HerFinland]

That's ok!

[@Nina-ry6rc]

you speak English very well

[@HerFinland]

Thank you 😊

[@sabirhodzic6562]

I know how many seasons you have in a year... Two... Cold winter and mild winter...

[@HerFinland]

haha basically 😊

[@Nina-ry6rc]

but i really like water

[@HerFinland]

That's good!

[@ruthnoronha8206]

I notice that compared to Canada, most people embrace the cold would you say? Do some Finns hate the cold?

[@HerFinland]

Of course there are people who like the cold and who don't.

[@Nina-ry6rc]

the water here polluted 😢

[@HerFinland]

I'm sorry!

[@Nina-ry6rc]

it's all ice Thick ice

[@HerFinland]

Yes so much ice!

[@Torby4096]

Nope! I love to be in the water, but I'll skip that! I think you are crazy as Lauri and Anni Vuohensilta! 😏

[@HerFinland]

Thank you for commenting!

[@Nina-ry6rc]

in china ☹️☹️

[@HerFinland]

Oh man!

[@kimmovaisto6819]

Sauna on avannon jälkee….

[@HerFinland]

Niinpä!!

[@Nina-ry6rc]

wow i heard people can drink water from🚰🚰 directly

[@HerFinland]

Yes we can drink directly from the tap in Finland 😊

[@ruthnoronha8206]

Absolutely not!!!

[@HerFinland]

Thank you for your comment!