The Blue Lake at St Bathans was just cold enough to host this year’s New Zealand Ice Swimming Championships this past weekend.

A total of 51 swimmers from all over New Zealand and several from overseas - including Bulgaria, France and the USA - descended on the small Maniototo town from Thursday last week through until Sunday (July 10-13).

Organiser Susan Sherwen said everyone did amazingly well to complete their ‘ice mile’ in under 5degC lake temperatures.

“There are not many places in New Zealand it can get that cold,” she said.

However, with a milder winter than usual, the Blue Lake was threatening to be too warm leading up to the event - but a cold snap prior to the weekend finally dropped the water temperature low enough.

“It’s nicer when it’s sitting at 4.1degC as it’s less nerve wracking when it’s lower. If it gets over 5 degC we call it a nice swim rather than an ice swim,” Susan said.

The event alternates between the Alexandra outdoor swimming pool and St Bathans, and a lifeguard and medic were also on hand in the water to monitor each swimmer in an inflatable rescue boat (IRB).

Stephen Moore finishes his mile. Photo: Supplied

Stroke rates, body position and technique were all monitored for any deterioration, Susan said.

“It’s an extreme sport so there are definitely risks, especially when first getting in the water with how the body reacts with the gasp reflex.”

If a swimmer is underneath the water when that happens their lungs could fill up with water, so participants did a lot of training to prepare themselves.

Susan said the wind came up on Saturday making conditions tougher, and some swimmers decided to move their race into Sunday instead.

Only one young swimmer pulled out after 800m when she realised her body wasn’t going to cope.

“I always praise anyone that does that because it shows they know their limits,” Susan said.

The International Ice Swimming Association (IISA) began in 2009 with a vision to make swimming in icy waters a new sport and now has members in 73 countries. 

IISA rules state swimmers must only wear one standard swimming costume, one pair of goggles, and one standard swimming silicon cap. Earplugs are allowed.

An ice mile could take anywhere from 30 minutes and up to an hour to complete in the water.

Interim results, yet to be ratified:

Sophie Winter (19), Alexandra 2nd overall - 250m Free; Heidi Winter (17), Alexandra - 500m !st overall and World Age record (9 under 18); 3rd overall 250m Free 

3 extreme miles (2km or more):

Jackson Arlidge (2750m in 44:42.92)

Teodor Tsvetkov (2000m in 36:28.25)

Corrina Connor (2000m in 35:28.55)

The three overseas competitors also attempted an Ice 7 (an Ice Mile in seven continents).

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