That completely surprised me!

2022-01-30

A change in water temperature by even 1 degree, wind, waves, or simply a bad day – any of these factors can prevent us from even finishing a competition. We talk about swimming, experience, prudence, and challenges with Marek Rother—an athlete, swimmer, and authority in ice swimming.

Is swimming and racing an inner drive, a lifestyle, or a habit developed over years of training?

Racing is my inner drive. I’ve always enjoyed competition—not just in swimming. Initially, it was a habit formed through years of training, but over time it became simply my lifestyle. Every year begins with planning my races first, and then, together with my wife, we organize our social life, vacations, home renovations, and other activities around those dates.

Who or what inspired you to start swimming?

My journey with swimming started quite typically—with swimming lessons my parents signed me up for when I was in preschool. According to my mom, the early lessons didn’t show much promise. While other kids were already in the water, I was still standing on the edge, hesitating and barely dipping my foot in. However, once I started swimming, it quickly became clear that I had a talent for it, and I was selected for a sports school. By the third grade of primary school, I had left my hometown of Bytom and started sports training at a school in Wisła.

Swimming for health – what’s your opinion on this approach to water activity?

Swimming is one of the few sports recommended for both young, fit individuals and those dealing with overweight, obesity, mobility limitations, as well as pregnant women, people with disabilities, infants, and seniors.

The horizontal position and unique properties of the aquatic environment (buoyancy) allow for movement without strain, reducing joint wear and minimizing the risk of injuries. Additional benefits come from exposure to cooler temperatures, especially during winter swimming, which helps harden the body and increases fat burning (due to the higher metabolic rate required to warm the body).

Moreover, the resistance water provides during movement positively impacts muscle strength and joint flexibility. For me, it’s the best sport.

You are a decorated athlete and an experienced swimmer who has surely faced crises at some point. How do you deal with losing motivation for training, dips in performance, etc.?

I think I’m one of the lucky few who haven’t experienced major crises in their sports career. If I stepped away from swimming for a while, it was usually due to family or work-related reasons. My longest break from the sport—lasting 20 years—cost me 20 kg of excess weight. When my belly became so much of an obstacle that tying my shoelaces was impossible, my first thought was: “I need to get back to the pool!”

I believe a loss of motivation to train often happens due to overtraining or a lack of clear goals. Personally, as I finish one season, I’m already thinking about the next, and I’m not planning to sit in a rocking chair reminiscing about my younger years just yet (smiles). Motivation isn’t always at its peak. Sometimes it’s hard to go to practice when it’s dark and cold outside; sometimes your mind resists stepping into the water (especially cold water); and sometimes there are simply more enjoyable things to do than swimming back and forth. But if you want to achieve something, you need to focus on your goal, and that helps you push through.

I also think that consistent training can turn into a routine, making it easier to decide—without overthinking—to get up and go train, even if the alarm rings at 5:00 a.m.

Winter swimming is an increasingly popular sport... Could we call it an extreme sport? Why?

Winter swimming is rapidly gaining traction in our country. Just three years ago, there were only two events in this discipline. However, thanks to a few passionate individuals, it’s now possible to compete in cold water almost every month from November to March somewhere in Poland. The prestige of these competitions is growing, and more and more Poles are contributing to the medal statistics at the World Championships.

During the pandemic, when swimming pools were closed, ice swimming (morsowanie) became very popular as the only available way to stay in the water—perhaps also as a form of rebellion against confusing health restrictions. From this surge, many ice swimmers developed a desire to push their limits and try not just standing in cold water but actually moving through it.

Unfortunately, not everyone is ready for such a leap right away. Increasing distances too quickly and sometimes unhealthy ambitions have led more than one winter swimmer to hypothermia. This is why the sport is classified as extreme. A change in water temperature by even 1 degree, wind, waves, or simply being in poor shape on a given day can result in failing to finish a race.

The most demanding events in winter swimming, requiring "iron health" and "mental toughness," are distances from 250 meters to 1 kilometer, which are undeniably extreme. However, less experienced swimmers can safely take on distances of 25 or 50 meters.

The most important factors in this sport are adaptation, understanding the processes happening in the body during cooling, and a strong character.

During GWSC 2022, a competition held as part of ICE CUP POLAND, you exited the water without finishing the distance. Was that a failure or quite the opposite?

During GWSC 2022, for the first time in my career, I had to stop a race despite having significant experience swimming this distance. My body was sending strange, unfamiliar signals—I didn’t know where I was swimming, how far I had gone, or even where I was at all. I decided to end the race, even though I was among the leaders at the time.

After leaving the water, I was overwhelmed by rather unpleasant emotions—feelings of failure, disappointment, worry, and even a bit of shame. However, the response from the winter swimming community lifted my spirits tremendously. It completely surprised me. I think this situation can serve as a valuable lesson for everyone: we are not indestructible.

Sports should be about fun, adventure, the joy of success, and, of course, pushing your limits—but in a rational way. It’s not a fight for life, which some swimmers with inflated egos have unfortunately experienced firsthand.

photo: sikorafoto

How can winter swimming be done safely? I mean situations where swimmers overestimate their abilities, harming their health and losing the joy of this sport.

Safe cold-water swimming primarily involves listening to your body and putting your ego aside when something unusual happens. Almost anyone can practice winter swimming—provided they systematically adapt their body, understand it, and pay attention to the signals it sends. Increasing race distances gradually, from season to season, seems to be the best approach. Many competition organizers require proof of previous results before allowing participants to register for longer distances.

How should one choose equipment for this discipline? How can you prepare for winter swimming in terms of training? How far in advance should you start?

Winter swimming doesn’t require specialized equipment beyond what is needed for swimming in so-called warm water. Most training takes place in a pool, where, if you aim to compete in longer distances, you need to put in the kilometers. Regular weekly immersion in cold water—starting in November—increases the likelihood of adapting your body. That’s what I do, although I know many winter swimmers train in cold water more frequently than once a week.

What is a challenge for you?

My immediate goal is to win a medal at the World Winter Swimming Championships, which will be held for the first time in Poland, in Głogów. Given my recent incident in Gdynia and the COVID-19 testing requirements, I have some concerns, but I know I’ll do everything I can to achieve this.

Another challenge is completing a full Ironman distance, which I plan to tackle during the summer season.

Interview by: Maciej Mazerant / Editor-in-Chief of AQUA SPEED Magazine

Link to Marek's Facebook page:https://www.facebook.com/Marek-Rother-IceSwimmer-101232922041859

Photo: Courtesy of Marek Rother / SikoraFoto and private archive