Ned Hastings Acclimates To The Ice

Video courtesy of Jordan Tolbert of NBC Right Now, Columbia River. Photo of Ned Hastings courtesy of Keith Currie in Priest Lake, Idaho.

Ned Hastings was a competitive swimmer in his youth, but his pool workouts did not prepare him for an Ice Mile at the age of 55. He spent a long time acclimating in order to prepare for the 4.2°C water and -1°C air on January 24th in the tricky currents of Columbia River in Washington. His rewarming process was tough, “I was messed up,” he recalled.

The 55-year-old, known as Baltic of Priest Lake or Baltic of Kaniksu, took 37 minutes to achieve his first Ice Mile governed by the International Ice Swimming Association that was covered by Jordan Tolbert of NBC Right Now:

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