Photos: Estonians plunge into icy water to ward off coronavirus blues

The sport has been a popular way to counter the tedium of COVID-19 restrictions

Published: December 14, 2020 17:02 Reuters and compiled by Balaram Menon, Senior Web Editor

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Over 500 swimmers swam in the near-freezing waters of Tallinn port in Estonia, taking part in a giant winter swimming relay in a country where the sport has been a popular way to counter the tedium of coronavirus restrictions. Image Credit: REUTERS

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The 505 participants each swam the course of 25 metres marked out in a former submarine dockyard, taking 4 hours and 50 minutes to do so. Image Credit: REUTERS

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"It's actually a smart thing to do at this moment , Roy Vissers, one of the swimmers, said after emerging from the 4 Celsius (39.2 Fahrenheit) waters into the below-freezing air. He believed the sport provided good protection against COVID-19. Image Credit: REUTERS

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"When you're doing this, your body produces extra white blood cells. So, if a virus comes in, there are more white blood cells to attack it and kill it," he said. Dozens of spectators cheered along the course, many from hot tubs and mobile saunas set up along the side. Image Credit: REUTERS

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Aivar Tugedam, a winter swimming enthusiast who organized the event, said he had seen the sport grow in popularity since Estonia first went into a coronavirus lockdown in spring. Let's say from spring until now, I would say the count of the winter swimmers have tripled in Estonia. It's gone wild and really popular , he said. Image Credit: REUTERS

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