Courtesy of International Ice Swimming Association, Murmansk, Russia.

In the competitive ice swimming world, there are specific rules that dictate the starts and turns in order to ensure fairness and uniform procedures in the sport.

The illustration on the left shows the acceptable and unacceptable ways to start a race with one hand on the wall at the water’s edge. Jumping in or diving into the water is not done.

Similarly, flip turns and long streamlining underwater on the turns are not allowed; only hand-touch open turns.

Onwards to Murmansk, Russia where the International Ice Swimming World Championships were held in 2013 and 2015.

Henri Kaarma shows his open turns during the 100m freestyle finals held inside the Arctic Circle at the Winter Swimming Championships in Murmansk.

For more information on the 2019 International Ice Swimming Association World Championships in Murmansk, visit www.internationaliceswimming.com with the race schedule posted here.

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