Ice, Ice, Bathing: Our guide to Ice Dipping

Ever heard of the Nordic Cycle? It was a Viking practice of cold exposure, including plunging into icy waters, often after heating up in saunas or hot springs – a ritual that continues today. Now, Berlin might see less snow than, say, Norway, but Eisbaden (ice bathing) is perennially popular here.

If diving into freezing water in mind-numbing winter temperatures sounds like a nightmare to you, you’re not alone. Yet many Berliners swear by it. So if you’re seeking an adrenaline hit, it might just be the perfect new hobby. We’ve compiled everything you need to know about ice bathing in Berlin.

Why?

Let’s start with: why on earth would you do this to yourself? There is method behind the madness. Ice bathing certainly puts you in a good mood, stimulates circulation and blood flow and wakes you the hell up. It sharpens your focus and trains the skin and body to deal with cold.

Some do it as a one-off – to raise money for charity. For example, the Ice Dippers group collect donations for Kältehilfe; they freeze for the freezing. Some count it as an essential part of their winter routine. Ice bathing is also said to prevent or shorten illnesses, although this remains clinically unproven. It could well be all in the mind.

Others do it to demonstrate physical prowess. After all, what all ice bathing aficionados have in common is the art of endurance. For the Vikings, it was a ritual for strength, purification, and mental resilience, a vital part of their challenging Nordic life and cultural identity. Maybe Berliners feel the same.

Where?

In Berlin, there are two groups dedicated to ice bathing: The Berliner Seehunde (Berlin Seals) and the Ice Dippers. The Seehunde have existed since 1980, meet weekly at the Orankesee open-air swimming pool and organise an annual ‘ice carnival’, where they swim in costume. The Ice Dippers are more loosely organised, but they also meet once a week at Plötzensee, Weißensee or Treptower Park when the temperatures are low.

How?

Ice bathing requires some preparation and experienced supervision; the physical shock of the cold can quickly become overwhelming or even dangerous for the uninitiated. If you’re interested in trying an icy dip, start building up your tolerance by alternating hot and cold showers at home – one to two minutes each. A cold bath is also recommended. This may only be ice-bathing-lite, but you’ll immediately feel the invigorating effect. It’s also advisable to begin lake swimming in autumnal temperatures and slowly get used to the cold.

If you dare to take a full icy plunge, it’s important to come equipped: a padded seat, a towel and warm clothes. A thermos flask full of a hot drink is also important. Before entering the water, breathing exercises help increase blood oxygen levels and prepare your body.

Ice bathing is a shock at first, as though there’s the weight of an adult sitting on your chest. Experienced ice swimmers say that this is only mental, and often remain stoically in the water for many minutes, which they say helps them build a certain resilience for everyday life – or inner calm.