Hundreds take plunge at Rother Valley cold water swimming championship

A group of 150 swimmers have braved icy conditions to make a splash at an annual competition.

The Really Cold Swim Championship, held at Rother Valley Country Park near Rotherham, saw participants don their swimming costumes and brave water temperatures of 2C (35F).

The races on Saturday and Sunday saw officials spend “two hours breaking through several inches of ice”, before the contests could start.

One competitor, Di Asbury, said: “It was the coldest water I’ve ever swum in, but it’s such fun and it’s challenging. Definitely worth a go.”

Speaking after she competed in the 1,000m race and the 200m freestyle and breaststroke events, Asbury said: “When you get in you have a sharp intake of breath and then it’s about controlling the breathing, but we’ve got a fantastic safety crew looking out for us.

“When you hit the end, get out and warm up you think ‘have I actually done that’, it surpasses all your expectations and helps you when you get back to your normal life.”

A special 25m laned jetty pool was created in the lake for the event.

Swimmers were not allowed to wear wetsuits, but organisers allowed caps and goggles.

The competition distances ranged from 50m to 1000m, plus relay events.

With safety in mind, participants had to have had previous cold water swimming experience and were asked to sign a disclaimer.

As the event drew to a wintry close, organiser Leon Fryer, said: “It was fun bringing 150 competitors from all over the country together into the ice.

“Safety is obviously paramount at this time of year, as you can see the lake is frozen.

“We had an inch-and-a-half of ice each morning so we spent two hours breaking it up, making sure its safe.”