By holding the Greenland ice swimming championship, the association Siku Swimming will challenge the notion that you can only survive one to two minutes in cold water and encourage everyone to use a life jacket.
Too many are falling into the cold sea associated with the notion that all hope is lost. The association Siku Svøm wants to challenge that perception when both new and experienced ice swimmers meet for Greenland’s first open championship in ice swimming.
The Greenland Championship takes place on 18 October at Kolonihavnen in Nuuk. The event must create community and challenge the notion that you can only survive one to two minutes in cold water. The association’s message is simple: Put on a life jacket – it can give you vital time.
This is what Siku Swim writes in a press release.
– When I was a child in Greenland, I was told that it was almost certain death to fall into the water. I still encounter that notion. We want to show that there is reason to keep hope – and every reason to use a life jacket, says Bo Krüger, co-organiser and board member of Siku Swimming, who was born in Qullissat.
– As ice swimmers, we experience that the body can do more in cold water than many imagine. But swimming at a planned event is different from suddenly falling overboard. Therefore, our most important message is: Use a life jacket. It can keep you afloat and give rescuers time to arrive, says Emma Firestone, board member of Siku Swimming.
From 25 meters to one kilometer
At the event, participants can choose between the distances 25, 50, 100, 200 and 1,000 metres. Winners are chosen among women and men at each distance, and everyone who takes part receives a medal.
– We want to show that ice swimming can be both a sport and a path to community and new experiences. For some, 25 meters is a great personal victory. It also deserves a medal, says co-organiser Henrik Stokholm.
The event is aimed at both new and experienced ice swimmers. The organizers recommend beginners to choose the shortest distance and get in touch in advance if they are in doubt about participation. The distance of 1,000 meters is only for very experienced ice swimmers.
The championship is open to participants from all countries. There are already swimmers registered from Denmark and France who travel to Nuuk to take part. Siku Swimming is sponsored by the Bank of Greenland.
