As the practice of taking an icy dip booms in Finland, younger generations are embracing the activity for its dynamic range of health benefits. Elina Mäkinen, professional winter swimmer, shares her favorite winter swimming spots – suitable also for beginners.
More than 720,000 people in Finland (population 5.5 million) winter swim on a regular basis, according to recent statistics from the Outdoor Association of Finland. Once the domain of older adults, winter swimming is now appealing to a wider range of age groups looking for a natural way to boost mental and physical well-being. In response to the spike in popularity in recent years, the City of Helsinki recently announced the opening of five new winter swimming spots in the Finnish capital alone.
One of Finland’s best-known winter swimmers is Elina Mäkinen, 29, the first Finn to swim an ice mile (1.6 kilometers) in the water below five degrees Celsius, is internationally known for her super-popular TikTok videos that attract millions of followers worldwide.
Mäkinen is the subject of a new documentary “Kylmä” (Into the Cold) directed by Lauri Danska and produced by Finnish Broadcasting Company Yle and ARTE France. A journey into the world of winter, the short film charts Mäkinen’s journey to successfully swim the ice mile. To date, Into the Cold has been broadcast in Finland, Germany, France, Spain, and Italy.
The multiple World Cup and Finnish Championship ice swimming medallist fell in love with cold water as a child after her grandfather introduced her to the practice, which then quickly became a regular habit.
Now, on a good day, Mäkinen goes for a dip twice daily, and through her TikTok videos encourages others to tap into sisu, that unique Finnish form of courage and resilience, and feel the power of the cold.
“Cold water is the key to everything. The ice hole where I swim is a holy place for me, as it allows me to maintain my well-being and get rid of stress through this mindful practice that energizes my mind and body,” says Mäkinen.
In many of her winter swimming videos, Mäkinen carves her own swimming hole into the ice of a frozen lake or the sea (called “avanto” in Finnish) before going for a dip.
When asked to share her favourite winter swimming spots, Mäkinen says, “I have so many in Finland, as we have so much water everywhere that it’s hard to choose just a few! The best place for a winter swim is the spot you make yourself by cutting a hole in the ice in the middle of beautiful Finnish nature. I always have my swimsuit with me, so if there’s an opportunity to go for a dip, I do.”
Elina Mäkinen’s Top 5 Winter Swimming Spots for First-Timers
Finland brims with countless stunning lake and seaside spots and saunas for trying out the natural well-being booster.
Cold spa à la Lapland
“Near the top of the world in Lapland at the Fell Centre Kiilopää, there’s a spectacular clear stream right next to an authentic smoke sauna.”
Friendly Karelian spirit
“In Joensuu, Eastern Finland there’s a wonderful winter swimming club where guests are welcome at certain times called the Joensuu Polar Bears. It has two big saunas where people are very friendly – it’s the Karelian spirit – and I often end up chatting over good steam.”
Arctic contrast therapy
“One of my favourite places in Muonio where I live is Arctic Sauna World on Jerisjärvi Lake for the complete winter swimming and sauna experience in a stunning setting.”
Capital cool
“In Helsinki, Löyly is a great place to take people who want to try out winter swimming followed by a selection of saunas in a scenic location.”
Seven-star experience
“We filmed the training part of the Into the Cold documentary at Lake Heikinjärvi at Isokenkäisten klubi Wilderness Lodges. Located in Kuusamo, the 7-star smoke sauna can also be booked for private use.”
What kind of health benefits are there?
- A short immersion of 30 seconds to one minute in water that, on average, is about 4 degrees celsius during the winter months pushes the happy hormones into action.
- These happy hormones include endorphins (the body’s natural pain killers), serotonin (widely thought to maintain mood balance), dopamine (the neurotransmitter that helps control the brain’s reward and pleas-centers and also helps to regulate movement and emotional response), and oxytocin (also known as the love hormone).
- In addition, blood circulation is enhanced, and the immune system gets a boost.
- Activates brown fat tissue, which burns calories to help maintain body temperature.
How to start winter swimming?
- Go to a designated winter swimming spot, public or private, preferably with an experienced winter swimmer who can offer guidance.
- Ensure that you can get safely in and out of the water.
- Wear neoprene swimming shoes and gloves and a wool cap to help with the cold, if necessary.
- Know your health: Winter swimming is suitable for everyone except those with a heart condition.
- Approach the water carefully as walkways may be slippery. When getting into the water, breathe calmly. Listen to your body, there’s no need to force yourself to stay in the water for longer than feels okay.
- Make sure you have a safe place to dry off and warm up after your dip.
Further information is available from Suomen Latu, the Outdoor Association of Finland.
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This piece was prepared online by Panuruji Kenta, Publisher, SEVENSEAS Media