Winter Swimming [Oldies]

 

Saturday morning Serpentine Lido swimmers brave cold waters of 4 degrees celsius on January 5, 2008 in London. The swimmers meet every Saturday morning of the year regardless of weather conditions. (Photo by Cate Gillon)

 

A woman celebrates after participating in the annual Coney Island Polar Bear Club New Year's Day swim at Coney Island on January 1, 2011 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Coney Island Polar Bear Club claims itself as the oldest winter bathing organization in the U.S. and attracts hundreds to the beach for the annual swim in the Atlantic Ocean. (Photo by Andrew Burton)

 

People swimming in a frozen lake in Scandinavia, February 1972. (Photo by Fox Photos)

 

A swimmer takes a warm shower after the Winter Swim at Brockwell Lido on December 19, 2009 in London, England. Ice had to be broken from the surface of the open air pool for the annual winter swim where swimmers of all ages brave the cold water for the honour of becoming a Brockwell Icicle and to raise money for charity. (Photo by Dan Kitwood)

 

An ice swimming enthusiast dressed as Neptune takes to the frigid waters of Orankesee lake during the 27th annual "Winter Swimming in Berlin" on January 8, 2011 in Berlin, Germany. A local swimmers' group called the “Berlin Seals” invite ice swimmers from across Germany and abroad to the annual event. Members claim ice swimming is good for the body's blood circulation. (Photo by Sean Gallup)

 

A swimmer washes himself after winter swimming at Shichahai Lake on December 15, 2005 in Beijing, China. Winter swimming is a popular sport among Beijing residents. (Photo by China Photos)

 

Keen swimmers brave the cold conditions during the Mission Bay Mid Winter Swim held at Selwyn Reserve, Mission Bay July 1, 2007 in Auckland, New Zealand. The annual Auckland City Council-organised event features a swim in the sea for those who are bold enough to brave the elements. (Photo by Sandra Mu)

 

A Russian man bathes in ice-cold water as others pray to mark the Russian Orthodox Epiphany January 19, 2001 near Raifa man''s monastery in Raifa, Tatarstan, Russia as the Russian Orthodox Church marks the Epiphany. Photo by Oleg Nikishin/Newsmakers)

 

A winter swimming performer dives into a pool carved out of the frozen Songhua river during the 22nd Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival on January 11, 2006 in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province in north China. Harbin is one of China's coldest cities and each winter hosts an ice festival, with famous buildings and landmarks from around the world recreated in ice. (Photo by Cancan Chu)

 

Winter swimmers performer at a pool carved out of the frozen Songhua river during the 22nd Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival on January 11, 2006 in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province in north China. Harbin is one of China's coldest cities and each winter hosts an ice festival, with famous buildings and landmarks from around the world recreated in ice. (Photo by Cancan Chu)

 

Regulars of the women's pond at Kenwood on Hampstead Heath, London are underterred by the ice. 22nd December 1935. (Photo by E. Dean/Topical Press Agency)

 

Ice swimming enthusiasts take to the frigid waters of Orankesee lake during the 27th annual “Winter Swimming in Berlin”, which this year had a kitchen theme for dress, on January 8, 2011 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Sean Gallup)

 

A winter swimmer wipes water on him beside a stranded ship on the beach of the Yangtze River after snow on January 27, 2008 in Wuhan of Hubei Province, China. Measured in Wuhan's Hankou District, the water level of Asia's longest river (about 6,300 km) fell to 13.98 meters, the lowest compared with the same time of year since records began in 1866, affecting shipping, fishery and water supply. (Photo by China Photos)

 

A woman takes part in the annual Coney Island Polar Bear Club New Year's Day swim by running into the ocean at Coney Island on January 1, 2011 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Coney Island Polar Bear Club claims itself as the oldest winter bathing organization in the U.S. and attracts hundreds to the beach for the annual swim in the Atlantic Ocean. (Photo by Andrew Burton)

 

A man swims in the icy Shichahai Lake as a child looks on at a temperature around zero degrees centigrade December 17, 2006 in Beijing, China. Shichahai Lake is a popular place for swim enthusiasts in Beijing to go winter swimming. (Photo by China Photos)

 

A member of Icebergs Swimming Club dives in to the pool during the opening day of the winter swimming season at Bondi Icebergs on May 4, 2008 in Sydney, Australia. Bondi Icebergs, which began in 1929, is known as the “Home of Winter Swimming”, and has in excess of 700 dedicated swimmers competing in handicapped races during the winter season, lasting from the first weekend in May to the last weekend in September. The first Sunday in May each year is the official opening of the winter swimming season and members jump in to the pool with blocks of ice. (Photo by Ezra Shaw)

 

A swimmer wears a woollen hat during the Winter Swim at Brockwell Lido on December 19, 2009 in London, England. Ice had to be broken from the surface of the open air pool for the annual winter swim where swimmers of all ages brave the cold water for the honour of becoming a Brockwell Icicle and to raise money for charity. (Photo by Dan Kitwood)

 

A tatooed participant relaxes after taking a quick dip in frozen Orankesee lake at the 26th annual Berlin Seals winter swim on January 9, 2010 in Berlin, Germany. Approximately a dozen ice swimming clubs joined the annual event as a chilly snowstorm swept across Germany. (Photo by Sean Gallup)

 

A woman runs out of the ocean after participating in in the annual Coney Island Polar Bear Club New Year's Day swim at Coney Island on January 1, 2011 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Andrew Burton)

 

Ice swimming enthusiasts take to the frigid waters of Orankesee lake during the 27th annual “Winter Swimming in Berlin” on January 8, 2011 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Sean Gallup)

 

Ice swimming enthusiasts take to the frigid waters of Orankesee lake during the 27th annual “Winter Swimming in Berlin” on January 8, 2011 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

Winter Swimming, Photo selection