FLOW State – Swimming in a Glacier
Love for what you do is key – this is how Josef Köberl, Austria’s most renowned winter swimmer and world record holder for time spent immersed in ice (2 hours, 30 minutes, and 53 seconds), begins the description of his cold endurance training sessions.
In Poland and around the world, many people have discovered the benefits of cold exposure and fallen in love with ice swimming. However, Josef Köberl takes cold training to a whole new level. During his courses, he teaches participants how cold water can transform their lives and help them experience the flow state more frequently.
Cold Training
When did swimming and your fascination with cold water first appear in your life?
Josef Köberl: I owe my passion for ice swimming to the organizer of the Hallstättersee swimming marathon. During the first edition, I swam 9 kilometers. After that, I rashly decided to swim the English Channel. I quickly realized that without training in cold water, it wouldn't be possible.
In 2015, I managed to accomplish it – I wasn’t the best swimmer, but I prepared well for the challenging conditions there. (The water in the English Channel can be around 16°C. Josef swam for 14 hours and 21 minutes. Due to the strong tidal range, the distance he covered increased from 35 to 41.7 kilometers – editor's note.)
JOSEF KÖBERL born in Bad Ischl in 1977, Josef Köberl grew up in Grundlsee. He served as a professional soldier for 22 years and, in recent years, has worked at the Ministry of Climate Action. Formerly a talented 3000-meter steeplechase runner, he also had a stint on the national military pentathlon team.
Well-being with Cold Water
Do you think everyone can swim in cold water or spend time in ice?
JK: I don’t think everyone can do it the way I do. But generally speaking, any healthy person can enter icy water. The main motivation for taking on such a challenge should be the joy of stepping into cold water.
Unfortunately, many people try this challenge on their own, make numerous mistakes, and then turn away – they give up. Ice swimming is not just a sport; it is also – and perhaps primarily – about finding yourself. That combination excites me deeply.
Is swimming in a glacier an attraction or more of a challenge? How should one prepare for it? What can one expect from such an experience?
JK: It can be an amazing experience! Unfortunately, many people visit a glacier and… that’s it, because the deeper meaning of training in such a place remains hidden from them. Many just want the “kick” – to feel the cold. They don’t even experience the full power of their own strength.
The guidance I provide to participants in my courses is sufficient to fully understand this adventure. Everyone will take something different from it, but everyone also needs individual assistance and support. A lot is required from the trainer – it’s a significant responsibility.
Responsible Tourism
I consider the opportunity to swim in clean water a tremendous privilege, and I aim to share this respect with everyone I guide to it.
Your statements often reflect a strong sensitivity to the topic of protecting and preserving water quality.
JK: From an economic perspective, water is a resource, and from an ecological perspective, it is a habitat. You could say I live in one of the most beautiful and water-rich habitats. Given my reputation, working to protect water is not only a duty for me but also a matter of personal care and commitment.
How would you convince someone to attend your training in Austria? What arguments would you use to invite someone interested in trying ice swimming?
JK: I would definitely emphasize that they will experience the unparalleled beauty of ice, spectacular ice formations, and the uniqueness of the water. Many participants – open water swimmers and winter swimmers – join me on the glacier to prepare for crossing the English Channel, the North Channel, or the Winter Swimming World Championships.
I also work with business professionals on their goals, fears, and career progress.
HINTERTUX GLACIER
Swimming inside the Hintertux Glacier has become particularly popular in Austria recently. The water temperature hovers around freezing – a medical check-up is all you need to try your hand at swimming among the icy walls.
You can also paddleboard (SUP) or use a raft to explore the waters within the glacier.
Interestingly, in 2018, Josef Köberl won the World Open Water Swimming Association’s award thanks to his project for winter swimming training in the Hintertux Glacier.
Hintertux is a village at the end of the Tuxertal Valley, part of the Zillertal Valley in Tyrol, Austria. Located at an altitude of 1,500 meters above sea level, the village lies at the foot of the Hintertux Glacier, surrounded by towering mountains and glaciers.
To the south of Hintertux, on the glacier, is the Spannagel Cave (Spannagelhöhle), which is about 10 kilometers long and the largest natural cave in the Central Alps.
Interview by: Maciej Mazerant / Editor-in-Chief of AQUA SPEED Magazine
PHOTOS: Barbara Anderl