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Press release 060302
Swimmers from 18 Countries to Participate in Winter Swimming World
Championships in Oulu
- World-famous cold swimmer Lewis Gordon Pugh will take the challenge as
well
Winter Swimming World Championships will take place next weekend (3rd – 5th
of March) in the beach area of the Raatinsaari Island in Oulu. Participants
from a total of 18 countries will celebrate this international winter swimming
event. Participating countries include such countries as Australia and Lebanon,
together with several Middle-European countries. Finnish, Russian and British
swimmers are expected to be among the best.
One of the most interesting participants is Lewis Gordon Pugh from Great
Britain who has built up an impressive list of records. In August 2005, Pugh
swam 1 km in the Arctic Ocean at a place, which is just 1,100 kilometres from
the North Pole. The swim broke the world record for the most northern long
distance swim ever undertaken. On that occasion, the water of 3 degrees
Celsius could not stop him, but what will happen in Oulu? On Sunday morning,
he may attempt to break another record, off the Raatinsaari Island.
The actual Championship day is Saturday, 4th of March. To kick off the
whole event, the hilarious Tar Torch Swimming Relay (4 X 25 meters) is
arranged on Friday evening, in the light of tar torches. On Sunday, the event
is finished with a colourful Team Swimming Show/Contest, the main prize of
which is 1 000 euros.
This 3-day long winter carnival is open to anyone interested in winter
swimming. In addition to the Competition series (25 meter races), there are
also three non-competitive series: Polar Bears, Seals, and Young Seals.
Arrangements Progressing Well
The Sports and Recreation Office of the City of Oulu has already started to
build the Winter Swimming Stadium (the pool is 25 X 12 meters in size). The
stadium will be open to everyone interested in winter swimming for one week
after the Championships.
The stadium is built of snow, ice and other natural materials. In the
stadium area you will find an international market place, a sauna in an igloo
and several hot tubs. Near the stadium area there is a winter recreation
ground for children, and it is possible to try reindeer sledge riding.
Furthermore, you can visit the ice pool exhibition and participate in the Cold
Swimming Seminar.
Another interesting part of the event is the International Cold Swimming
Seminar, which takes place in the Pakkala Hall at the Oulu City Library on
Friday. The working language for the seminar is English. Speakers include
Governor Eino Siuruainen (Oulu), Docent Juhani Smolander (Helsinki), Lucy
Petrie (Lontoo) and Simon Murie (Lontoo). The Chairman of the Seminar is
Medical Director Jarmo Karpakka (Oulu).
The Number of Winter Swimmers Increasing
The event is organized by the Oulu Winter Swimming Club, in cooperation
with Oulun Uimaseura Swimming Club, which is currently celebrating its 100th
anniversary. The championship organization consists of over 100 volunteers.
The fantastic team spirit and the upcoming Championships have significantly
increased the number of winter swimmers in Oulu. The membership of the Oulu
Winter Swimming Club has increased from 120 to 250. With their voluntary work,
all the people involved in the arrangements want to promote winter swimming
and its positive health effects. Furthermore, they are devoted to creating a
unique, wintry event for all the guests and the people of Oulu.
Further information about the World Championships: www.ouka.fi/iceswim2006.
Further information about Lewis Gordon Pugh can be obtained from his own
website: www.lewispugh.com.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CAN BE OBTAINED FROM:
Mariia Yrjö-Koskinen
President, Oulu Winter Swimming Club.
Chairman of the Organizing Committee
+358-40-824 9326
mariia.yk@hongisto.fi
Jussi Hekkala
Stadium planning
Stadium Manager
+358-40-529 7531
jussi.hekkala (at) avantiservice.fi
Aila Toivonen
Communications and PR Manager
+358-40-7388 305
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