Ger Kennedy’s 60-Minute Ice Bath Challenge
Courtesy of Ger Kennedy, Yakutsk, Russia. In preparation for his 52m Under Ice Swimming challenge in Yakutsk, Russia, Irish ice swimmer Ger Kennedy had to stress his body and mind in ways in which he had never experienced before.
Despite having completed an ice mile, ice kilometer, and other winter swimming endeavors on the surface of the water, Kennedy was looking to push his body and mind even further.
So he decided to take an hour ice bath in order to prepare to swim under a sheet of ice in -1ºC (30.2ºF) water in the Lena River.
Kennedy explained his experience in the Ice Bath Challenge held at Nicky’s Plaice, West Pier, Howth in Dublin, Ireland. “60 minutes was the goal in -1ºC (30.2ºF) water. I [now] understand how hard on the body this was. Sitting static in a tank of ice and water is very serious business.10 minutes in, ‘Aaaah, this is fun.’
20 minutes in, ‘I could not feel my lower body.’
30 minutes in, ‘My blood oxygen levels fell so low [that] the lads were going to take me out.’
35 minutes in, ‘My blood oxygen levels and vitals returned to normal.’
40 minutes in, ‘I was back smiling again.’
50 minutes in, ‘I was singing along to Martin playing his guitar.’
60 minutes in, ‘Let me the F**K out.’
The recovery was coordinated by very skilled people and worked great with blankets and hot water bottles (old school), but the after effects were felt during the [following] week. It was very sore to touch the abdomen area and both inner legs were very sore to the touch. My fingers were swollen, but that’s kind of normal during ice swimming season. I was exhausted during work and evenings and in my pool sessions.
I would I do it again.”
Copyright © 2016 by World Open Water Swimming Association
Southern California native, born 1962, is the creator of the WOWSA Awards, Oceans Seven, Openwaterpedia, Citrus Corps, World Open Water Swimming Association, Daily News of Open Water Swimming, Global Open Water Swimming Conference. He is Chief Executive Officer of KAATSU Global and KAATSU Research Institute. Inductee in the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Swimmer, Class of 2001) and Ice Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Contributor - Media, Class of 2019), recipient of the International Swimming Hall of Fame's Poseidon Award (2016), International Swimming Hall of Fame's Irving Davids-Captain Roger Wheeler Memorial Award (2010), USA Swimming's Glen S. Hummer Award (2007, 2010) and Harvard University's John B. Imrie Award (1984). Served on the FINA Technical Open Water Swimming Committee and as Technical Delegate with the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games, and 9-time USA Swimming coaching staff. Note: WOWSA only recommends products or services used or recommended by the community. WOWSA does not receive compensation for links or products mentioned on this site or in blog posts. If it does, it will be indicated clearly on that specific post. See WOWSA's privacy policy for more information.
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