These winter swimmers take a dip in the IJsselmeer every day, even at -4

They call themselves De Winterzwemmers in the WhatsApp group. From the group, consisting of about 25 people, there are always a few who want to start the day with a short swimming session in the immense open-air swimming pool of Enkhuizen. Even when the car’s dashboard shows -4, five enthusiastic swimmers report themselves. Carolinem, Odette, Lisanne, Saskia and Suzan certainly don’t suffer from cold feet.

‘What am I doing here?!’

Enjoying the magical sunrise over the IJsselmeer, they quickly head to the water, because yes: it is quite cold. They carefully slide into the water via the steps and come out again after about a minute. But why do they do this to themselves? Caroline: “Sometimes you think: ‘What am I doing here?!’ But when you enter the water, your body starts to tingle. And when you get out of the water, a warm glow goes through your body. Then it’s wonderful and you know: I’m back!”

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She started this daily routine five years ago. “We used to wear a separate suit, now we just wear a bathing suit. The great thing is that the IJsselmeer is different every day. This morning we have a beautiful sunrise, then there are high waves, or smooth water. Or you swim among grebes or other birds. Something falls off you when you swim. It really makes you zen.”

The swimming adventures provoke reactions from bystanders, Caroline knows. “We always swim with a buoy, for safety. This makes us a sight to see, because some of us also stand with them on the schoolyard. Some people think we are crazy, others don’t want to think about it, but many other people actually respect it.”

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Caroline’s water thermometer shows 0. But the tough five are not deterred by the winter conditions. Certainly not Odette: “These are the best days, when it gets colder, colder, colder.” Caroline thinks about two years ago, when it was freezing for a longer period of time. “Then we cut our own hole every day with an ax and sat in our own ice bath. That was really fantastic.”

Warm clothes are quickly put on again after the short dive. On to the hot shower, you might say. “Exactly not,” says Suzan. “Because then you lose that effect. Warming up yourself and starting your day is better. Then you will get warm again.”