Swimming Freestyle Without Fatigue… or How to Become the 'King of Ice !

Swimming... How and why did this sport enter your life?

Swimming has been with me since my earliest years. My dad often took me to the pool, and my first contact with water was at the age of six. In the following years, I went to the pool weekly or biweekly. I can definitively say that this particular form of physical activity just suited me.

Swimming training is monotonous and grueling. How do you maintain your passion for swimming?

There’s no denying that swimming is a demanding sport—physically, mentally, and in terms of the time commitment it requires. I’ve maintained my passion for swimming over the years by setting goals for myself.

Initially, my goal was to win a medal at the Silesian Championships. Later, it shifted to making the B final and then the A final at the Polish Youth Championships. After a while, my focus turned to winning a medal at the Polish Open Water Championships and, more recently, earning medals at the World Championships (International Ice Swimming Association) in Winter Swimming.

A pleasant surprise was setting three records and receiving the title of "King of Ice."

Swimming Styles in Practice

What swimming style do you prefer, and which works best in winter swimming?

Personally, I prefer freestyle. For as long as I can remember, I’ve swum longer distances like 400 or 1500 meters, and later, 5 and 10 kilometers in open water. When it comes to winter swimming, there isn’t a definitive style that "works" or "doesn’t work." Winter swimming includes various events, much like regular pool competitions, and everyone swims in the style they feel most comfortable with. For me, that’s freestyle, as I swim the longest possible distances in cold water—250, 500, and 1000 meters.

Does this sport influence your career plans or professional path in any particular way?

At the moment, I have several career plans, but given the current global situation, their outcomes may vary. I certainly plan to align my future with winter swimming. This discipline is developing rapidly, and I’d like to contribute to its growth even after my competitive career ends. I’m not yet sure if I’ll do this by coaching athletes or conducting various studies, but one thing is certain: winter swimming will remain a part of my life.

Learning to Swim for Adults

Many people practice cold-water immersion, but how should adults approach learning to swim in cold water?

First, it’s important to start with the basics—anyone wanting to swim in cold water must have at least some foundational swimming skills. For some people, swimming 100 meters continuously in a pool can be a challenge. If just four pool lengths are difficult, I strongly advise against venturing into cold water, where the conditions are much more extreme.

It’s best to first refine your swimming skills. Once you’re swimming reasonably well, you can move on to introducing yourself to and acclimating to cold water.

Cold-water immersion (such as ice bathing) is a great starting point—I began there myself. It’s helpful to enter the water 3-4 times just to stand and see how your body reacts to the cold. These sessions don’t need to be long; 30 seconds at first is more than enough. If you notice that your body isn’t reacting adversely, only then should you attempt swimming in cold water. Start small—try swimming about 10 meters.

Getting accustomed to swimming in cold water can take some time because standing in it and swimming in it are two completely different experiences. Above all, remember to NEVER swim alone. Always have someone nearby who can assist you or call for help if needed.

Is winter swimming just an adventure, or the beginning of something more.... 

To be honest, my entire journey with winter swimming has been one big adventure. From the challenging beginnings and intense pain to earning the title of "King of Ice" and experiencing less pain—it’s been quite the ride. At the moment, I’d like to continue winter swimming, but being a student and training for 4 hours a day is a significant challenge. There’s also the financial aspect, as participating in competitions can be costly.

I’d love to go to France next year for the World Championships, which are being held in the picturesque Alps. At the same time, we’re living in uncertain times, with so much happening in the world, so what the future holds remains to be seen.