Winter Swimming – Swimming for Adults

Winter Swimming – A New Dimension: A Summary of Media Patronage!

2022-04-03

Winter Swimming in Poland Takes on a New Dimension

Winter swimming in Poland is evolving into something much bigger. It has become an incentive for adults, particularly cold-water enthusiasts, to learn how to swim. It is turning into a mass sport, attracting both professionals and amateurs. The scale of interest is highlighted by the number of participants at each event, with competitions consistently drawing between 100 and 300 participants.

This positive craze has been channeled through events like the IISA World Championships in Głogów and the largest winter swimming series in Poland – Ice Cup Poland. These events were supported by AQUA SPEED Magazine, with the AQUA SPEED brand providing prizes for participants in the competition for the most interesting competition reports.

The contest generated over 100 reports with the hashtag #AQUASPEEDmagazyn, garnering nearly 10,000 likes. As a result, it created the largest digital diary of its kind in the history of Polish winter swimming.

Winter Swimming – An Extreme Sport

Winter swimming serves as a stepping stone for adults who, after trying cold-water immersion, feel the urge to do something more in icy waters. It is an extreme sport that allows participants to overcome weaknesses and push the limits of their own bodies. It delivers a rush of adrenaline and positive emotions. Competitions are also an opportunity to build relationships, foster a large swimming family, and, equally important, share experiences—not just in swimming but also in organizing events!

What skills and knowledge are required to organize winter swimming competitions involving dozens or even hundreds of participants?

Grzegorz Kumiszcza:

For me, it all started with passion and the desire to achieve the highest possible level of organization. First and foremost, you need to participate in a few similar events yourself, listen to advice from the best organizers, and pay attention to feedback from participants. I’ve been fortunate to meet—and continue to meet—many supportive people along the way. One of the first was Leszek Naziemiec, who, despite us not having met before, spoke to me about organizing events with such ease that it seemed almost child’s play. His guidance gave me a lot of confidence in the success of my plan.

Then I met Piotr Biankowski, who, with years of experience competing at the highest level and organizing excellent events, has always been willing to share his knowledge and offer his help. Currently, I am also part of the organizing team for the ICE CUP Poland series, where we exchange experiences and listen to each other's perspectives within our group. This collaborative approach allows us to create events with a broad and inclusive vision.

Mazury is an ideal place for open-water swimming, but winter swimming competitions seem to be a new phenomenon here. How do the locals perceive this discipline?

Grzegorz Kumiszcza:

I’m personally delighted that we’re inspiring both the residents of Ełk and those from nearby towns with our passion for winter swimming. We aim for the events in this series, through shorter distances, to encourage swimmers and cold-water enthusiasts to take that first leap and swim their first meters in icy water. At the same time, we offer the opportunity to compete alongside Poland’s top swimmers. These events come with a great atmosphere and give beginner swimmers the sense that they’ve accomplished something extraordinary. Often, a few people will come to cheer for someone during their first swim, and by the next event, the whole group is signing up. Some of them will soon start raising the bar, tackling longer distances, while others will stick to 25 or 50 meters, purely to support the group socially and take part in the fun competition. And that’s the beauty of it.

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

Marcin Szarpak:

To be honest, my entire journey with winter swimming has been one big adventure—from the challenging beginnings and unbearable pain to earning the title of "King of Ice" and experiencing less pain in the process.

What does the title of World Champion in the 1000-meter winter swimming mean to you?

Marcin Szarpak:

That’s a very good question. For me, this title is the culmination of 12 years of pool swimming, 6 years of open-water swimming, and 3 years of intense training in cold water. I see it as my greatest achievement, earned through hard work and determination. However, I also view it in another way—as the next step in advancing the discipline of ice swimming.

How to Practice Winter Swimming Safely? I’m referring to situations where swimmers overestimate their abilities, risk their health, or lose the desire to enjoy this sport.

Marek Rother:

Practicing winter swimming safely starts with listening to your body and putting your ego aside when something unusual happens. Almost anyone can participate in winter swimming—as long as they systematically adapt their body, understand it, and pay attention to the signals it sends. Gradually increasing race distances from season to season seems to be the best approach. Many event organizers require proof of prior results before allowing you to sign up for longer distances.

During a competition, you left the water without finishing the race. Was that a failure or the opposite?

Marek Rother:

During the GWSC 2022, I stopped a race for the first time despite having significant experience with that distance. My body sent strange, unfamiliar signals—I didn’t know where I was swimming, how far I’d gone, or even where I was. I decided to end the race, even though I was among the frontrunners. After leaving the water, I was overwhelmed by unpleasant emotions—feelings of failure, disappointment, anxiety, and even slight embarrassment. However, the response from the winter swimming community really lifted my spirits. It completely surprised me. I think this situation can serve as a valuable lesson for everyone. We are not invincible. Sports are about fun, adventure, the joy of success, and pushing boundaries—but in a rational way. It’s not a fight for survival, which is something a few swimmers with inflated egos have unfortunately experienced.

In swimming, is the health aspect or the competitive aspect more important to you? How do you view medals, winning, competition, and challenges

Mirela Mazur:

Both aspects are equally important! I really need physical activity, and swimming is the only sport I can do. Recently, I also realized why I swim in winter. I came to the conclusion that I had a strong need to engage in something that provides a big dose of adrenaline, is safe, and doesn’t take up much time. And… voila! Winter swimming! The competitive aspect also plays a very important role for me. Winter competitions give me immense motivation. My biggest challenge is competing with myself. I always try to beat my own times and swim better than in previous competitions.

Agnieszka Stachowiak:

The health aspect is the most important for me. I don’t overstrain my body; I treat it with great respect, and maybe that’s why I’ve never had an injury. The key is for training to be systematic and intuitive. I don’t overdo it, but that doesn’t mean I’m not tired after a session. Achieving swimming successes is very enjoyable and, at the same time, surprising, as I didn’t experience such victories in my youth. My appetite is growing, and new beautiful challenges lie ahead. I’m glad to have my next goal.

Why did you choose swimming? Was it by chance or due to natural predispositions?

Agnieszka Stachowiak: Swimming replaced running and cycling—but only during the winter season. During the pandemic, when pools were closed, I decided to try swimming in the lake during winter. At first, I was hesitant and avoided submerging my head. Later, thanks to a friend I followed on Instagram, I started putting my head underwater, and it went better than I expected.

Mirela Mazur: I’ve been splashing in water since childhood, but now swimming is my only option and my salvation. After many years of climbing and a brief stint with road cycling, I found out that I couldn’t do any sport that strains my joints—so now I swim.

If swimming suddenly disappeared from your life, then…?

Agnieszka Stachowiak: It would be running and cycling. I love fresh air, changing landscapes and surroundings, and, of course, the wind in my hair.

Mirela Mazur: Don’t even say that! I don’t want to imagine it.