Diving into ice-cold, clear water: ice bathing has won many fans in recent years. Plunging into the freezing cold element has been proven to have positive effects on the cardiovascular system, boost the body's immune defences, reduce acute pain from rheumatism and other joint pain, convert (bad) white fat into (good) beige fat and have a stimulating effect on the mitochondria .... The cold is even said to lift the mood and alleviate depression. More than a good reason to take a dip in the Attersee even in winter! However, jumping into the cold water is not the ideal option. You should take your first ice bath slowly and prepare well for it.
Ice or winter bathing is bathing in open water at water temperatures of 0 to 4 degrees - there does not have to be any real ice. Cold water bathing is when the temperature is between 5 and a maximum of 15 degrees. If you have never dealt with this topic before and would like to delve deeper into the subject before your first attempt, you can find helpful tips from the Ice Swimming Association Austria.
[Translate to English:]
Suchen Sie sich einen passenden Ort – wie zum Beispiel unseren Seestrand. Bikini oder Badehose an und Haube auf – und los geht´s. Gerade am Anfang ist es eine gute Idee, immer zu zweit Eisbaden zu gehen, um aufeinander zu schauen. Dann heißt es, Ruhe finden, die Welt um sich ausblenden und nur für sich selbst da sein. Profi-Eisbader unterstützen den Ablauf mit vorbereitenden Atemübungen..
Professionals generally recommend breathing calmly and slowly through your nose in the water, focussing on exhaling. You should not submerge, as a lot of heat is lost through the head. It is best to cross your hands over your chest and keep them above the water. As far as duration is concerned, there is a "temperature = maximum dwell time" formula. In other words: stay in the water for a maximum of 10 minutes at a water temperature of 10 degrees, 9 minutes at 9 degrees and so on. From 2 degrees and below, 2 minutes in the water is sufficient. For beginners, the following applies to real ice bathing - i.e. at water temperatures between 0 and 4 degrees - start with short sequences of approx. 30 seconds and then slowly increase.
Continue to breathe calmly and evenly after the ice bath. Dry off, put on warm, loose clothing - don't forget your hat and gloves - and give your body the chance to slowly warm itself up. Another tip: If you are tired after an ice bath, you have been in the water too long... Then your adrenalin production is no longer working properly and you should give yourself a break.
Divers from all over the world appreciate Lake Attersee as a unique diving spot. What many people don't think about is that the ice-cold and therefore crystal-clear water allows visibility of up to an incredible 30 metres, especially in the winter months, which makes a dive an absolutely unforgettable adventure! And thanks to the dry suit, you stay nice and dry and warm inside, while the silent underwater world lies freezing cold at your feet - or rather at your fins. In addition to the natural, winter "attractions" of Lake Attersee, there is also Austria's first underwater cot at the "Dixi diving entry point" in Weyregg am Attersee ...
All information about entry points in the vicinity, the best diving spots and other underwater attractions in Lake Attersee can be found here:
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