Due to the weather forecasts, almost all New Year’s dives on the coast are cancelled. Nothing has to be canceled in Brabant for the time being, but the perceived temperature is a lot lower due to the strong wind. What is the best way to prepare if you want to go into the cold water? “A good warm-up is the most important. When you get out of the water, you feel fantastic,” says fanatical winter swimmer Monique Fransen from Diessen.
In the cold months of 2017, Monique was introduced to winter swimming. She even went to Russia for a week, where she went into the water at minus 27 degrees. “The colder the water, the more intense. But when you stand on the shore again, happy hormones are released. I started a Walrus club (as winter swimming is called in Russia and Ukraine) in Diessen to share my enthusiasm with others. It’s nice to see that interest is increasing.”
“The cold water gives you energy for a whole week.”
Between October and April, her club goes into the water twice a week. “We make sure we are warm beforehand. It is actually good if the sweat is already on your back. You do not jump into the water, but go in calmly. This is important to control your breathing. Otherwise you can have a kind of hyperventilation, which is very dangerous in the water. The feeling of winter swimming is wonderful. Some participants say that stepping into the cold water gives them energy for a whole week.”
She herself organizes a small New Year’s dive on January 1. In various other places in Brabant, thousands of people go into the water. According to Monique, a dive is not always good for everyone. “If you have the flu or a cold, I would certainly not advise it. You can then become even sicker. And if you suffer from heart failure or high blood pressure, for example, I strongly advise against it.”
“The main goal is to improve your health.”
Not everyone has to remember to put on swimming trunks or a bathing suit in winter conditions. Monique calls it her passion and sees several benefits. “The main goal is to improve your health. For example, it speeds up your metabolism, it is gymnastics for the blood vessels, you get less arteriosclerosis, lowers your cholesterol and improves your resistance and immune system. You get a boost mentally.”
Do you want to get into the water on January 1? These are tips from Monique so that it does not become dangerous:
- Make sure you warm up properly. The temperature is above freezing, but the wind can make it very cold. Exercise in place for at least twenty minutes or, for example, go for a run. Don’t take off your winter clothes and go into the water at the last minute.
- Don’t stay in the water for too long. Heading down is allowed, but not a must.
- Don’t wait too long before putting on dry clothes.
- Quickly have something warm to drink.
- If you have a drink containing alcohol, do so afterwards.
Click here for the location of the Brabant New Year’s Dives.