August 4, 2008

Polar bear club

"Swimming in the sea or in many of Norway’s lakes even in summer, is often best described as a short, sharp, shock. Recently however better temperatures have attracted more people to spend time in the water."

I can attest to the "short, sharp, shock" personally after foolishly accepting a teenaged dare to jump into the Oslofjord years ago. Despite the fact that it was July, the water temperature was about 52°F. I can still recall the shock of hitting the water.
Aftenposten now reports that the water is a balmy 20C, which in fahrenheit is 68°. I don't know about you, but that strikes me a still a bit cool. Especially when the average swimming pool temperature is recommended to be about 80°F.
You know, I'm getting that same bone-chilling feeling I got back when I was 16 and dumb enough to take that dare, just by reading this story. I think my teeth chattered for a full hour after I got back on the boat. I'm going outside to sit in the sun now.

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