More than 2,000 swimmers from 16 countries took to the icy
waters off Dalian on Saturday for the opening of the city's 2005
International Winter Swimming Festival.
Accompanied by shouts of encouragement, men and women plunged
into the sea at Dalian's Golden Pebble Beach, in northeast China's
Liaoning Province.
The beach is the winter base for the
China Swimming Association, and although it is not yet winter
the water is very cold.
After stripping off thick coats to reveal swimming costumes
underneath, the assembled masses took the plunge.
Most swimmers headed ashore after about 10 minutes; some,
suffering cramp and other problems, spent even less time at
sea.
Anatoly Rekant, 71, from Russia, was attending the festival for
the first time. "I tried the water on Friday and it felt good.
Dalian is not as cold as my country," he told China Daily
before taking part in the opening ceremony.
Fen Yuqin, 60, a member of a women's winter swimming team in
Dalian, was thrilled by the experience. She said it was her third
winter swimming since she retired. "I used to be in poor health,
but now I'm very strong," she said.
"When so many people get together to face the sea, it is really
enjoyable," she added.
The four-day festival features a swimming contest, a seminar on
the science related to winter swimming, and exhibitions of
paintings, calligraphy and photography. This is the fourth year the
city has held the annual event.
Dalian's swimming association has more than 20,000 registered
members. Proponents say winter swimming enhances health and
longevity and boosts immunity.
(China Daily October 31, 2005)