Ice hole swimming or ‘avantouinti‘ (Finnish) has its own enthusiasts and Avantouinti Society. Ice swimming requires cutting a hole in the ice where the water temperature hovers around 0°C (32°F).
Avanto swimmers say ice swimming makes them feel fresh throughout the day and helps build resistance to the common flu.
With thousands of enthusiasts preparing for the 2010 Winter Swimming Championships in Bled, Slovenia between January 22nd – 24th and similar ice swimming events, enthusiasts and groups popping up around the world, Avanto swimmers are becoming a global phenomenon.