59.RU Journalists Test Ice Floating in Perm's Winter River
Lying in a starfish pose after a workweek — what could be better
This winter, a new trend in winter leisure has emerged in Perm — ice floating, which translates from English as «floating ice» or «swimming in the ice.» It refers to immersion in icy water in a special wetsuit. Journalists from 59.RU went to Gaiva, tested this trendy entertainment themselves, and took many fun photos — here«s how it went.
On the right in a pink hat is instructor Tatyana
Contraindications for ice floating: being under the influence of alcohol or drugs, height below 150 centimeters (4 feet 11 inches) and weight over 100 kilograms (220 pounds). Also, children under 12 years old cannot swim, and teenagers from 12 to 18 years old can only engage in ice floating with an adult present.
The ice floe yielded to Anya
Before the trip to ice floating, we had many questions: would there be a briefing, how safe is swimming in the ice, wouldn«t it be cold, is there a risk of drowning? The organizers of the swims were in touch with us and answered everything. I»ll say the main thing right away: ice floating is not scary, not painful, and even relaxing. And what else do journalists need who decided to take a mini-break from the information flow?
Swimming like this is also comfortable
On the day of the swim, it was -15 °C (5 °F) outside, and for this occasion, we were warned in advance: we needed to wear warm pants, sweaters, and preferably a set of thermal underwear to avoid catching a cold. Under the wetsuit, it«s better to take a thin hat. The organizers met us at a gas station near the swim site, and with them, we reached the yacht club at 2a Gremyachy Log Street — the road to it was so snowed in that without an SUV, you risk getting stuck in a snowdrift.
At first it was scary, but then — good!
Not far from the ice hole, there are several tents, and in one of them, a potbelly stove is burning. We enter it, they brew herbal tea for us, and we drink it with candies.
We show our swim in a short video
One of the swim organizers, Tatyana, tells us: the team has been engaged in summer swims on kayaks and yachts for several years, and this winter decided to adopt the experience from friends in the Murmansk Region and launch ice floating. Now, tourists from Yekaterinburg, Kazan, Nizhny Novgorod, Moscow, St. Petersburg, and other Russian cities come to Perm to swim. And, by the way, it«s not cold at all, the organizer answers our questions.
«If you lie on your back in the water and don»t move, you will freeze, but you would also freeze if you stood motionless on the shore,« says Tatyana. »When we move, heat is generated, and people hardly freeze.«
We recall a recent tragedy in the Murmansk Region: in early January, a 57-year-old tourist from Belarus went missing during ice floating, the woman was carried away by the current into the open sea. After almost a month, her body has not been found. We ask Tatyana: is there a risk that we could be carried away in the same way?
«Here is a calm bay and the current is almost absent. Can you go under the ice? If you force yourself under the edge of the ice, then, perhaps, with some attempt, you can get there. But the suit is buoyant, it keeps you on the water,» the girl reassures us.
While the others finish their tea, organizer Ilya takes us to change in another tent. With his help, we put on burgundy rubber wetsuits — without assistance, you clearly can«t get into these »armor,« and they greatly restrict movement. The collar of the wetsuit presses on my chin and neck, so we decide not to fasten it tightly — I»m not planning to dive anyway: scary!
We carefully descend the stairs to the ice hole — it«s a square cut in the Kama River, approximately 10 by 10 meters in size. Large ice floes float in it — if desired, you can arrange a photo shoot on them. Near the ice hole, there is a festive New Year»s arch, and we take photos next to it.
Tatyana suggests we jump into the water backwards — she assures us that the wetsuits will keep us on the surface. The worst that can happen is a little water gets under the suit, which is why spare clothing is needed. Someone jumps decisively, while I hesitate, and upon hitting the river«s surface, my face is splashed with icy water. Startled, I blink and try to catch air with my mouth, but mentally pull myself together and breathe through my nose.
The water confidently flows around the body in the wetsuit, and you relax. You can«t lie completely still, otherwise it will be cool — I recommend slowly paddling with your hands and feet. During the swim, we pose for the photo correspondent on the ice floes, swim up to the edges, and occasionally ask Tatyana to adjust the hats that have slipped over our eyes.
Thanks to the air cushion on the wetsuit, you can lie on your back and your head won«t tilt back. And then — only the sky above, a feeling of weightlessness, and light collisions with people floating nearby. The mental chatter in your head slows down, giving way to peace and relaxation. The frosty air by the river is not felt at all, because it»s warm in the suit, even though you hardly move.
The swim lasts about 40 minutes: during this time, you have time to sit on the ice floes and on the improvised edges, and lie on your back... And the bravest try swimming on their stomach — that«s also safe.
After getting out of the water, we go to take off the suits and change into dry outerwear, then we are led to the tent to drink hot tea. Some colleagues didn«t get wet at all, but our SMM specialist Anya Antipina»s hair got wet — it seems she dove too actively.
But enough about my impressions — I asked my colleagues from 59.RU how they found the swim.
«Everything was awesome and great!» shared Anna Antipina. «I really enjoyed swimming among the ice floes. In childhood, my mom didn»t allow me to jump on frozen puddles, and here I fulfilled that childhood dream.«
«I call this: »The therapist«s payment went through.» Ice floating can pass for a massage session and meditation,« says the »Medicine« section correspondent Natasha Palnikova. »And it«s also cool that you kind of reset your brain: you»re swimming in a winter river, but you«re warm!»
«»The therapist«s payment didn»t go through« is an internet meme describing a fictional situation at a psychologist»s appointment. If the payment didn«t go through, the specialist says unpleasant things to the person and aims to cause them emotional suffering. And if it did go through — then the psychologist creates a comfortable atmosphere and helps cope with difficulties.
But the most enthusiastic opinion is from the «Crime» section correspondent Veronika Svizeva. You should have seen her shining eyes!
«The suits are totally awesome — like fuchsia-colored Teletubbies, it»s the most fun photo shoot!« smiles Veronika. »I was afraid I«d freeze, but if you wear a couple layers of clothing like fleece, it»s quite comfortable. Since I«m not a good swimmer, I was afraid to enter the water, but the main thing is we had a good briefing, and the suits really hold you well on the water. From that, physically comfortable sensations!»
Our correspondent initially couldn«t relax and stayed strictly by the icy edge, but then everything fell into place.
«Water has a way of calming you, the feeling of weightlessness — it»s really pleasant! In the end, I was the last one out of the water, cruising there in a star pose, with arms and legs spread,« adds Veronika.
When we«re ready to go home, the organizers drive us to one of the bus stops in the Ordzhonikidzevsky District, and we disperse to our homes. After such entertainment, you want to continue through life relaxed and with a light smile.
Earlier, we told what Pilates on a reformer is and where in Perm you can do it — these classes are becoming popular, and our journalist tried them herself.
