Lido's call for ice cold swimmers

Water temperatures in January will be about 4C

Swimmers are being invited to attend the UK's first Cold Water Championship.

The South London Swimming Club (SLSC) is to host the event in January at the Tooting Bec Lido, in both the club and venue's centenary year.

The lido is said to be the UK's largest, unheated, fresh water open air pool where the average water temperature in January is 4C (40F).

The event is open to everyone and races are based on age groups from under-19s through to the 80s and over.

Competitors from the UK and a number of European countries have already signed up to take part.

Those that take part in the championships will be pioneers SLSC president Finbarr Martin

The inspiration for the challenge came after a group from SLSC took part in the ice-swimming championships in Oulu in Finland in February this year.

Ice-swimming is common in Scandinavia, Finland and Russia where these championships attract thousands of competitors.

SLSC president Finbarr Martin said: "With the past and future of Tooting Bec Lido and the SLSC so closely intertwined, holding the UK's first ASA-sanctioned Cold Water Swimming Championship seemed an ideal way to celebrate this double 100th birthday.

"Swimming in icy water may sound mad, but many who try it get hooked on the experience.

"Those that take part in the championships will be pioneers."

Competitors must obtain medical advice before entering cold water, and wear a swimming cap.

No wetsuits or other swimming aids are permitted while in the water, but the provision of silicone swimming caps is included in the entry fee.

The tournament takes place on 21 and 22 January.