Courtesy of Kate Steels-Fryatt, Snowdonia, north Wales.

11 people [see below] in history have completed an Ice Zero Mile (1.6 km open water swim in water temperature below 1°C).

Among those 11 intrepid aquatic adventurers, Ram Barkai has done 11 total Ice Miles over the course of his career. “I believe that every single person out there has a superhuman or hero hiding inside him or her and it is entirely up to that person to unlock that superhuman, ignore what everyone and society told us about what we can’t do and shouldn’t do and let it thrive with humility and respect to others.

The Ice is calling. Never be scared to dare.”

Kate Steels-Fryatt, a relatively recent force in the ice swimming community, travels the world challenging herself. “I am lucky enough to have travelled, and taken part in ice swims in many wonderful places. One particularly memorable trip was in March 2017 when I was lucky enough to be part of a swimming expedition to Arctic Norway. The fjord scenery was stunning, the sea crystal clear and icy cold. I successfully completed my Polar Ice Mile here.”

1. Ram Barkai (South Africa) 11 miles with 0.0°C as lowest water temperature
2. Ger Kennedy (Ireland) 8 miles with 0.5°C as lowest water temperature
3. Jaimie Monahan (USA) 7 miles with -0.03°C as lowest water temperature
4. Kate Steels-Fryatt (England) 5 miles with 0.9°C as lowest water temperature
5. Ryan Stramrood (South Africa) 5 miles with -1.0°C as lowest water temperature
6. Kieron Palframan (South Africa) 4 miles with 0.0°C as lowest water temperature
7. Toks Viviers (South Africa) 3 miles with 0.5°C as lowest water temperature
8. Henri Kaarma (Estonia) 3 miles with 0.0°C as lowest water temperature
9. Aleksandr Brylin (Russia) 2 miles with 0.3°C as lowest water temperature
10. Andrey Sychyovv (Russia) 1 mile with 0.3°C as lowest water temperature
11. Gavin Pike (South Africa) 1 mile with 0.5°C as lowest water temperature

Copyright © 2008-2018 by World Open Water Swimming Association