Cold Water Swimming Championships 2013
If you're looking for some cold adventure it might be closer to home than you think! On the 26th January 2013 the South London Swimming Club hosted their 5th UK Cold Water Swimming Championships at Tooting Bec Lido.
This is a biannual event which had become a key feature of the calendar for cold water swimmers, but first timers were welcome too. Water temperatures get as low as 3°C, so half the challenge is persuading yourself to jump in, let alone swim.
There were a variety of races, from the traditional "head-up" breaststroke and the freestyle dash, to relays and a 450 metre challenge for the really foolhardy. But it wasn't all cold — to help competitors recover there was a Finnish sauna available after the races, as well as good food, a host of stalls and entertainment running throughout the day.