Winter swimming in West Sweden & Gothenburg

Test the health trend that is cold water swimming 

The ice cold health trend of cold water swimming has never been hotter, and the health benefits are many. When you get into the cold water a firework of endorphins is sparked off in your body. That has an analgesic effect but it also affects the mood of a cold water swimmer for the better. You can quite simply swim yourself happy! 

14 magical cold water swims 

Salty swims on the west coast, lake swims in the magical forests of Dalsland or a refreshing swim in Lake Vättern. You’ll find tips for places with both salt and fresh water swims here. 

Meet winter swimmers from West Sweden

Annelie from West Sweden shares her experiences of winter swimming. Both what to think about, its benefits and maybe best of all – her favourite spots. 

Let Annelie Pompe guide your winter swim

Adventurer and freediver Annelie Pompe gives you the tips you’ll need as a beginner winter swimmer, as well as sharing her favourite places for a winter swim in Gothenburg’s northern archipelago. 

Tips before you go cold water swimming

  • Go cold water swimming regularly, around 2-3 times per week, to acclimatise your body.

  • Let your whole body up to the neck be immersed in water to get the brown fat going, and the body’s own heat generation.  

  • Don’t put your head under if you aren’t experienced swimmer. 

  • Stay in long enough to master the “Fight or flight response” and get control of your breathing, but don’t overdo it. 2-3 minutres can be long enough in low temperature water. 

  • If you haven’t tried cold water swimming before, start by having a cold shower at home, switching between warm and cold water to “train” your blood vessels. 

  • Swim with someone else and keep an eye on each other.

  • Have a mobile phone to hand with the 112 app installed.
     

    Be careful if you have high blood pressure or heart disease – check with your doctor before you go cold water swimming.