Groningen Outdoor Swimmers Embrace the Cold Together

As the weather cools, a dedicated community in Groningen is preparing to embrace chilly waters around the city. On 13 October, the winter swimming season starts, offering participants not only the physical and mental benefits of cold-water swimming but also a unique way to strengthen social bonds.

Paul Plasman, a certified instructor in the Wim Hof Method - a practice that combines breathing techniques, cold exposure, and concentration - expects about 10 to 15 swimmers to meet every Sunday at Paterswoldsemeer for a refreshing dip, based on previous years’ experiences. This group will take on the challenge of facing the cold together.

A Warm Welcome in the Cold

This sense of togetherness is something Jonathan Morrow, a recent arrival in Groningen, has quickly come to appreciate. His cold-water swimming journey began at the Jesus Green Lido, an outdoor pool in Cambridge, where he found a welcoming atmosphere. “I started swimming as a kid, but I stopped competing as a teenager,” he shares. “Later on, at the outdoor pool, it was not only about the swimming anymore, it was also the people who kept me coming back.”

This feeling extends beyond Cambridge. “It’s about the community. Everyone doing this has to love it in some way to overcome the cold, which connects us,” he explains. Now, he finds joy in the community of winter swimmers at the Stadsstrand in Groningen.

Additionally, the act of plunging into cold water has various health benefits. Jonathan describes the rush of adrenaline that accompanies the experience, highlighting its mental advantages, “when you have mental challenges, it can keep you stuck – stuck in your room, stuck in your mind – the swimming forces you to move, helping you break free from that stuck mode.”

Health Benefits and Safety Precautions

The positive effects mentioned by Jonathan are also shared by Douwe van den Berg, who conducts workshops on ice bathing and is the founder of the Facebook group Koudetraining Groningen, dedicated to winter swimming in the city and currently counting over 470 members. What Jonathan and Douwe agree upon – when they dive into the cold water, they sense a feeling of reconnecting with nature.

“The cold forces you to be present in the moment, to meditate. It shuts your thoughts completely down,” Douwe says. He notes that this practice can enhance the immune system and improve circulation. According to him, during the Covid lockdown, many people were drawn to this movement, motivated not only to boost their physical health but also to tackle mental challenges.

For many citizens including Carin Alink, these health benefits are a primary motivator. Carin, who swims outside two to three times a week, started for medical reasons, seeking to enhance her immune system. “I just love it. It keeps me young!” she says, determined to keep swimming through the colder months with hopes of continuing until December.

"I just love it. It keeps me young!"

However, Douwe advises that cold-water swimming isn’t suitable for everyone. “People with certain health conditions, especially heart issues, need to be cautious,” he warns. For beginners, he emphasizes the importance of starting slowly and always swimming with others in safe conditions. “Don’t overdo it, and limit your time in the water, especially when starting,” he adds.

For those curious about winter swimming, Jonathan offers a simple piece of advice, “just do it. Go with a friend. It’s not only good for you, but it’s a lot of fun too.”