ICE swimmers from a Winchester club brought home a host of records and medals from the latest World Championships and are continuing to promote the colder waters.
The International Ice Swimming Association (IISA) 5th World Championships were held in January in Samoens, France.
Winchester City Penguins swimmers Kate Steels, her partner Rory Fitzgerald and friend Cathy Munro made their mark with multiple records and podium finishes
Despite the warmer waters in Britain and in Hampshire, with ice swimming requiring a water temperature of below five degrees, local representation is on the up.
At the first World Championships in 2015, Kate and Rory Fitzgerald, who live in Waltham Chase, were the only British competitors.
READ MORE: Hampshire duo break ice swimming world records
This year there were 44 British swimmers, including the Winchester trio and two other Hampshire competitors, contributing to almost 500 competitors from 42 countries with many new distances being added.
Rory, 64, set age group world records in the 1000m, 500m and 100m freestyle and won an additional bronze.
Cathy, 60, who began ice swimming in lockdown set an age group world record in the 500m and 250m and won bronze in 100m.
Kate, 53, who won open water swimmer of the year in 2021, continued her success at the recent championships with an age group gold in 100m and two personal bests and three silvers in the 1000m, 500m and VIP relay.
At first Cathy thought her friends were “absolutely mad” for swimming in the cold river but has since made the change.
The Winchester resident said: “I’m a full convert now. Finding out I was capable of it was a massive achievement. Being outside is amazing and I’m trying to be aware of my surroundings while overcoming the cold.
“The benefits from the cold can be really good for your mental health and it’s just part of my week now.”
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Hampshire County Council worker Kate recently completed her 11th ice mile and chairs ISSA in Great Britain. She said: “My heart has always been with open water swimming. With ice swimming you push yourself in more ways than you ever would in a pool.
“There’s been an absolute explosion for people wanting to do it due to the coverage on the benefits. People recognise the sport much more, I’m aiming to get it into the winter Olympics.
“It doesn’t have to be competitive. People can keep a woolly hat on and still have that confidence which might be lacking, especially if women, were at the pool instead.
“The club has been really supportive and recognise there are more aspects to swimming, more than just being in a pool. I think we even might have a couple others who are tempted to take up ice swimming.”
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