Winter swimming - Hampstead Heath, London

It's December and 6 degrees in the water. This is a short film about the winter swimmers at the Hampstead Heath pond in central London. They swim almost everyday year around and describe it as an addiction.
Thanks to all swimmers at the mixed pond who participated in this film.
Made by Hanna Aqvilin.
www.aqvilin.se

[@sg72646]

I was born in Kentish Town and swam regularly in the ponds and often had to break the ice before swimming. That was 58 years ago when I was 10 and a parliament hill fields was my regular playground. Happy memories of those days 😊

[@hotstixx]

Lived in london at different times in my life,from the gritty neighbourhoods to the abrasive.Now im in middling,muddling middle age and would only consider a return if i was close to the Heath for those early morning spiritual rebirths.What a lovely and lucky little group of people.x

[@sebastianverney7851]

a beautifully made little film. i'm forwarding it immediately to my friend in moscow who has been swimming in a pond there today. thank you for posting it.

[@dpmcmanus50]

Some good advice, but that opening footage of someone diving in? Unless you're very experienced, diving in cold water can be very, very dangerous. Better to get in gently/gradually, since the cold can seriously shock the body.

[@karate4348]

I couldn't do this all year through but for most of the year yes yes yes

[@kerstinkuntze]

I love love love this film.

[@hannaaqvilin1602]

Thank you so much for feedback :)

[@aqcapture]

Love swimming here! This year was the first year I didn’t get to swim here in over 10 years :(

[@lmnts-wildswimming9922]

Love it! This really made me smile,

[@mathiasbuse1186]

A very nice video.

[@retribution999]

I'd be afraid of having a stroke or heart attack from the shock of the cold water.

[@EndOfEntertainment]

Cool stuff :)

[@anouartadrhout1826]

Is not dirty?

[@wonderwoman5528]

Why is it dangerous when it feels comfortable?

[@Keuska]

It is because you can get hypothermia very quickly in such cold water, as the body loses heat much faster. When you get comfortable you want to stay in the water, because it feels good. The truth is in freezing water you could die in time as short as 15-30 minutes, so you need to be careful with the length of the swims:)