Ice Bathing in Vardo - Anyone experienced it?

[franski]

We are booked on an RT sailing on the Kong Harald in early October this year.  In the brochure on Day 7, it mentions "weather permitting, we may invite you to experience ice bathing in the Arctic Ocean". 

 

Has anyone done this?  Or, perhaps witnessed others who did? 

 

Am anticipating this is almost like the "Polar Bear Plunge" that is common on New Year's Day in many areas, and that this "bathing" would be accessed from the shore (not jumping from the boat....) Just wondering what the conditions must be like for this to be offered.

 

BTW - my DH has said "No way" to this... but we are travelling with cousins, and one of them has said she is game to try!!  

 

Fran

[grayjay]

We witnessed it once - shuddering while doing so because it was March and freezingly cold. But the people jumping in had lots of fun - shuddering also when coming out... It's not a real bath in the ocean, it's kind of a cage in the sea near the pier with steps . leading up to it. For safety reasons only one person at a time was allowed to go in and for perhaps half a minute or so. Coming out of the water you immediately got a towel to wrap yourself in.

[franski]

Thanks!!  Here's hoping it will be offered...  How cool (no pun intended) would it be to have been "swimming" (albeit is just a plunge)  while up in the Arctic Circle.  Was swimming in the Amazon River this year - so this would be another awesome experience to check off my bucket list...

 

 

Fran

Edited May 22, 2019 by franski