7 Jul 2023

A winter dip: NZ ice swimming champs kick off

From Morning Report, 6:50 am on 7 July 2023

Swimming outside probably isn't high in your plans this weekend. But how about swimming in one of the country's coldest lakes?

The New Zealand Ice Swimming Championships start today - where athletes will plunge into Otago's freezing Blue Lake in St Bathans for some laps.

According to rules, the water temperature must be 4.9 degrees Celsius or below, and swimmers can only wear only a cap, a pair of goggles and a standard swimming costume.

The event's organiser, Sue Sherwen, spoke to Kim Hill.