These Ice Swimmers Battle Frozen Death with Every Stroke | That's Amazing

High in the mountains of southern Africa, 15 swimmers compete in one of the most extreme-and chilling-races on earth. With no wet suits or protection, they swim one kilometer in water that is cold enough to kill them. For these athletes, it’s not just a battle to the finish, every stroke is a battle to stay alive.
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Great Big Story is a video network dedicated to the untold, overlooked & flat-out amazing. Humans are capable of incredible things & we're here to tell their stories. When a rocket lands in your backyard, you get in.

[@adarcus4053]

I don't think that'll ever be an Olympic sport purely because no one is going to back a sport that requires every single competitor to end up in a proper ICU situation afterwards. I mean the news stations wouldn't be able to do their interviews that take place 30 seconds after everyone exit the competition.

[@Userterrra]

This is an ultramarathon. Common ice swimming competition has 200 m as a maximum distance and all sportsmen fell perfect after it

[@rebeccamandelos3164]

The swimmers are well trained.A lot of Olympic sports , have their risks…. Ice swimming is becoming more popular. I think, it can make it as an Olympic sport in the future.

[@lambertovitali3152]

Absolute nonsense, you don't need ICU after only 1km.

[@adarcus4053]

@@lambertovitali3152 My asthma would beg to differ with you.

[@lambertovitali3152]

@@adarcus4053 You said "every single competitor". Do they all have asthma?

[@jordanengen6037]

here I am thinking the pool I swim in for comp is cold...

[@brodiemcdonald3097]

Jordan Engen me too😂😰

[@ilikerice1171]

Me to😂 lol

[@jules--1670]

Same😅😅

[@Tyler-ce3um]

Yeah, my pools a bit under 70 degrees right now, and I thought that was cold.

[@ujjwalsevra2249]

Now that's what you call a 'cool' sport.

[@shrekbumpy7783]

Ujjwal Sevra that's a good pun

[@ujjwalsevra2249]

@@shrekbumpy7783 I appreciate you for appreciating it. ♤

[@iris-ep3qy]

That's funny

[@eyxnos5192]

Hahahahahahahahhwhwhwhwhahahahahaahahhaahhahahahahahahaha

[@mr.mister2783]

Get outttt

[@Slash113]

What do you like to do on your free time? Oh, nothing, you know. Just going for a quick swim in freezing waters.

[@mikebather6688]

Cold showers are better for a reason

[@warriormom5232]

Ah must be Finnish

[@tomash3492]

i an also ice swimmer, great sport. so thank you for my friend from my work who shown me this great sport....big respect for all ice swimmers and also who did ice mile

[@kittyb8242]

@Kayla Davis speck wow

[@mayaburchfield1115]

i know how they’re feeling exhibit a- whenever i turn the shower faucet down too much...

[@ElSantoLuchador]

Cold shock response.

[@paavomakikangas4020]

"They must swim a single kilometer in water cold enough to kill them" Water temperature 4°c. Laughs in Finnish.

[@juomariturmio]

You imply this is not extraordinary?

[@elladay7913]

i complain about the water being cold on a 35 degree day

[@taikajorma7276]

Ella Day -35 ˚c?

[@awsomemodels]

35c or 35f ? If you're complaining about 35f than it's valid !

[@yeah5363]

Fahrenheit?

[@elladay7913]

celcius

[@brucebarton8767]

THE WIND FEELS COLDER THAN THE WATER! REAL!

[@jokuvaan5175]

In Finland we have places on lakes where a spot of the lake is kept open year round with underwater heating to prevent ice forming because there are so many people who want to go swim in ice cold water during winter. There is usually also a sauna where you can warm up before and after swimming. And some swimming halls have ice cold water pools.

[@rebeccamandelos3164]

Wow ! Did not know about the underwater heating.

[@sk70091]

It's not underwater heating, it's just pumps that keep a current going in the water so that it doesn't freeze.

[@CowpokeCannoneer]

I could see David Goggins doing this... then crushing it.

[@viljokanniainen3090]

20% body fat, and this is a sport thats no like any other sport

[@brianfosterkinsale4403]

I would say that he could complete, but not compete. He says he hates the water, it was his most difficult obstacle in BUDs for him, and even then the water in colorado where BUDs takes place is far warmer, 10x warmer at times. He would need to increase his body fat, and dedicate almost all of his training time to ice swimming. He might be able to complete an ice kilometer and/or ice mile eventually, but he would certainly not be competitive, so, in short, he would definitely not "crush it", although after multiple failed attempts, he may succeed

[@ameliorated]

All of them should feel proud of trying

[@KZ-hu9uj]

I would love to see this as an Olympic sport. This guy seems amazing, I love his outlook on life and his drive :)

[@Wisethinker527]

This is not a sport this is a form of suicide. It will never be entered as a Olympic sport.

[@carlos7181994]

Okay, I thought there wasn't a sport like this exist yet? Amazing insane sport.

[@olgailina90]

ahh how can I complain about a cold water jumping into the pool in the morning. practice will get better I am sure from now on .. people are amazing.

[@xkatiegamingx1605]

When I clicked on this video I was thinking what r they doing, now I see that you can die or live from this sport. If you live that will be amazing that you can say I swam in ice and I lived and finished the race. But this is a great sport.

[@Jade-nt3bk]

I felt like I was dying when I entered my hotel’s pool. I was in Queensland Australia.

[@rmannayr2129]

Also, I Love the Girl just wearing a One Piece Swimsuit and Pink Goggles at 1:35! And a One Piece Swimsuit is probably the best thing for this.

[@hemshah4127]

Great video 📹 The great big Story

[@joannali7279]

Hahaha, I can't even handle cold showers

[@donnawebster4310]

I'm an open water swimmer here in North Carolina. Geez. Right now I can do a mile in 65 degrees and want to make into the 50's so these swimmers are amazing.

[@Doktracy]

Where do you swim? I live in SE (Laurinburg) NC and want to start doing open water this spring.

[@Rachel_hikes_the_PCT]

The reason its an addictive sport it because its amazing to see what you can do just by willing yourself to do it. You can take that and apply it to other aspects of your life and its very empowering.

[@cloroxbleach4219]

Wonder if they get sick after each race

[@siddharthdennis9234]

Clorox Bleach I swear I always see you

[@gradyking4739]

Coldness doesn’t make you sick.

[@hammerheadeagleithrustakag9289]

@@gradyking4739 it does bring down your immune system though

[@MrGmaloq]

@@hammerheadeagleithrustakag9289 nope

[@saquibahmad599]

Clorox Bleach i see you everywhere

[@jamespartee6460]

The quality of the video is so good you definitely deserve more subscribers

[@cheesamcheah7640]

Ice Swimmers Association: Exists Russians: That's cute.

[@mariastelzer9590]

So beautiful. I started Ice Swimming one year ago, made the 1000m with just a few training and can't wait for the water to get cold. Absolutely love it ❤ Next year I want to swim my IceMile ❄🌊

[@MW-ty5zw]

Good luck. Nearly there!

[@lambertovitali3152]

Why training? I went ice swimming for fun as a 12 year old because I didn't believe the nonsense told to me by parents and teachers about the "dangers" of cold. I was correct, being cold isn't dangerous, it isn't sore or uncomfortable, and it's fun. Took me 30 minutes before I even started shivering.

[@SlimDeeZuL]

Bucket List !

[@kaylalizarraga9950]

SLiMDeeZuLppppiueazo htvmv dghhjjjjikkkkolllplllllllllpoppuuhgggfffddsaqqqqqqwoop

[@ezny1690]

Or you could just... swim in normal water

[@forgivepat5405]

How do you find out that you like ice swimming 🏊‍♂️?😂

[@felipecortez1042]

Man idk how these guys do it, but they're tough as hell, I take my hat off to them

[@naimairfan5738]

I can't even take bath in cold water. Well not ice cold water we do sometimes bath in tube well, its water is also extremely cold but not as cold as this. Brrrrrrrrrrrr

[@LimitxRaine]

I’ve tried this before but not as cold as the ice in the video and when you first swim you might think that you’re gunno die of coldness but when you get used to it, it helps your muscle

[@Brenda-xy6bc]

wowzers it'd be cool to have in the winter Olympics, yeah

[@c0wg1rlbebop]

*how 5 AM practice feels*

[@ScienceHQ24]

There's snow in Africa??????????

[@dave5194]

Abyssal_Playz Of course. There are a lot of mountain ranges in South Africa with high enough altitudes to get snow. There's even a permanent ski resort in Drakensberg 😂.

[@ScienceHQ24]

David -flamingsword1 wow o_O

[@GrumpyStormtrooper]

a part of marocco on the north is called "the African Switzerland" since there's mountains with constant snow on it. there's ski resorts and some dope panoramas.

[@attyyyehuiii4062]

Abyssal if u go during august or July and u head to South Africa its there winter time

[@Tumikekanaa]

Abyssal I'm South African and the last time I felt snow was 5 years ago. I remember a boy asked me out the day before it snowed and I wanted to say 'I'll go out with you if it snows tomorrow' knowing very well that it barely snows in South Africa but to my surprise it did the very next day.

[@radharman]

Why in the heck would you do this to yourself on a regular basis. It's insane!

[@jo54ieyt]

"I'm attracted to extreme challenges" Getting in shower is already an extreme for me.

[@michellenunez9912]

Damn, there’s a human for everything

[@Billyman8]

If you feel cold, Don’t worry You’ll feel better once the hypothermia kicks in 🥶

[@ceciliakopp2649]

I'm a swimmer and sometimes the water is pretty cold but not as cold as this so very happy for everyone!

[@biblicallyaccurateangel1378]

bUT WHY

[@alissalou6109]

It feels maybe not dumb, but meaningless to risk your life for a hobby like this

[@SendFoodz]

didn't even know africa had snowy places like this

[@readabookdummy]

When u lose a bet but u are a man of your word

[@jacquespoirier9071]

trying it is adopting it, ice swimming is a very powerful drug....good for health I've begun it that year and I love it.

[@rnqtn]

I shiver when going for a swim at the beach on a sunny day here in Hawaii.

[@oskarimustonen1774]

I love cold water (Drinking it) lol

[@ladyjrider666]

Amazing journey for each swimmer. And sport.

[@heyitsbriseis9345]

I'm never complaining at practice to how cold the water is again oml

[@samann7951]

WOW amazing story! I hope it would be an Olympic game pretty soon.

[@hristosparaskevas104]

I literally said that's amazing 2 seconds before the pop up came up XD Truly a amazing feat done by these people.

[@davidcalvacce3115]

Respect to all of you guys ! This is serious swimming !

[@umuter3374]

Woow, this should become an internationally regognised sport 🙏🏻😌

[@RileyDao]

Whether you like the sport or not, u gotta have mad respect for them doing something crazy like this

[@jojoz6937]

i absolutly love ice swimming. cold water in gerneral. Idk i just enjoy the feeling

[@peachyhello]

I give props to all the athletes that go through this entire experience. This is so cool.

[@turningsnake4923]

Pun intended?

[@peachyhello]

Turningsnake No, but now that I think about it....

[@MW-ty5zw]

Immersion in cold water helps me deal with mental trouble. Going through bit of a rough patch at the moment. The only time I feel happy and alive is during and a few hours after a cold swim. Yesterday I went out into the stormy 9 Celsius water. Holy shit I felt alive as the cold waves were tossing me around. I was happy in that moment. Afterwards spending 15 min or so in that beautiful chaos I just couldn't stop smiling. The cold is so healing and liberating.

[@brucebarton8767]

I STARTED ICE SWIMMING WHEN I WAS 70. PROBABLY THE BEST THING I EVER DID FOR MY HEALTH! IT TOOK ME 2 YEARS TO BE ABLE TO DIVE UNDER WATER AT A 36 DEGREE TEMPERATURE! ALWAYS HAVE A TUB OF HOT WATER NEAR IF YOU TOTALLY SUBMERGE! WADEING UP TO YOUR WAIST IS BENIFICIAL! GO EASY, RESEARCH!

[@PastaMasta123]

I cringed when i saw them enter the pool cuz i can feel the cold.

[@reeh.b5744]

THIS IS AMAZING!! I would love to try and do this.

[@Moon-by5ee]

I love the fact that there is ice in Africa

[@dougkebede8284]

this man really just said in africa

[@adaaskin]

I love this!!

[@qrtsot]

I think that this sport is very very cool but also very very scary. I would never EVER in my life do this!

[@kallie8891]

OMG YOU GUYS ARE AMAZING

[@dragonmaster7841]

Guys in speedos in the cold. That’s major shrinkage bro. Not good for the ego.

[@brianfosterkinsale4403]

Cold water increases testosterone though

[@teamhunley]

Great sport: ICU stay at end

[@user-iz7mw7ow2k]

Spectacular!!!.Congratulations!!!👍👍💪💪👏👏♥️♥️🏊🏊

[@user-on3ie2wi8p]

I want to try this!! This sport will push your limit and get over it!! I love it!!💖😍😊

[@kattamanchiarjun]

huge respect to ice swimmers

[@lindenmaine6082]

The word is "disoriented" not disorientated.

[@traceyr713]

Watching this makes me cold af

[@wyattphillips382]

This is awesome

[@ElSantoLuchador]

In the Winter the Columbia River where I live gets down to about 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4.4 Celsius). I swim it in Winter routinely ... in a thermal wetsuit of course.

[@nedisahonkey]

I had no idea it got so snowy in Lesotho.

[@linhtong5037]

Why I got a lot of aspiration from this?

[@JoonasD6]

I find this strange. We have many, many ice swimmers here in Finland (so many that everyone knows it's a thing), but I've never heard of people needing that level of medical care... is it the altitude that does this? :S

[@nargesniassa2902]

I went to Spain and it was hot there and the pools were freezing!

[@keevamcnutt1066]

I have to put on a sweater when I feel a slight breeze from the window of my damn bedroom. MAD RESPECT for these swimmers.

[@MrZhuntergay]

This sport is so cool

[@MESTER47]

just great!

[@libanfaris8532]

Look at there faces omg they all have a pure skin and healthy body❤️

[@rmannayr2129]

This is Dangerous! But it would probably a bucket list thing and your body needs alot of conditioning to be ready for very very cold water!

[@aburrage7697]

Cold water energizes and awakes the body and spirit

[@sweetsnstuff5502]

All I can say is just 🥶

[@TheGfacekilla]

Everyone who knows the name Wim Hof knows this is well under the capabilities of the human body and not dangerous when cold exposure trained, actually good for your body's

[@AntiKiwieCS]

Ghost Face this

[@janalakmoush151]

And l am here… shivering in a normal pool

[@TheMrFrontera]

i'm just imagining how damn invigorating that must be when they first jump into that water. sounds intense and oddly satisfying. but i know i'll never leave my cozy blanket to do that, i wont even take a cool shower unless it's wicked hot outside

[@kyliemineiro9367]

Interesting talent

[@eddiehorsepaad]

Looks like they got blessed with more than just rain down in Africa...

[@Karla-rb5jg]

I can't even take a cold shower. These people are total badasses.

[@leomaple6868]

This is crazy but really cool at the same time! (No pun intended haha)

[@manred6253]

I actually went to a swimming camp in Turkey and there was an ice bath. I stayed there for 12 mins! Without moving! And the temperature was 0.7 which is less than this

[@richajha4054]

I respect them

[@hmm6088]

whenever I swim the pool is always cold I can barely handle it but after a minute or two I get used to it and then the pool is warm

[@maxbingzhouzhang462]

I just swam today in Barcelona beach. I felt the first 10seconds were tough, and when I finished to put my clothes on....but it's my mental focus session training

[@DannyOVideos]

these people are badass.

[@themadlad8540]

water like that could put you in shock

[@YurimoHikashi]

Charles Surber you don't say. They explained that

[@SolitarySkylark]

When I go to morning practice at 4:30 AM, I'm like -- please, no. These ice swimmers are AMAZING. Man, props to them.

[@GlobalPenguin2012]

This is probably madness even for an Olympic swimmer. Salute to these group of special swimmers

[@veshtitsacraftsandtunes4693]

last year i swam in water like this for 50 seconds. probably 30 meters. result - mild hypothermia. I'm skinny as hell and my heater works until mid-may. you feel like a cloud of pure energy when you swim in it. it burns. it's quite scary.