Several courageous people found an original way to start the year 2025. Around thirty people dove into the St. Lawrence River on Wednesday for a swim in the cold.
It was an opportunity for many curious people to venture into the waters of the river for the first time. The swim only lasted a few minutes, but the smiles were clearly visible. Others who were more experienced extended the swim a little longer, even if the conditions were not ideal.
The goal is to continue or extend a tradition that has been happening all over the world for a long time, that is to say that we start the new year by jumping into the water, in the cold, to give ourselves a boost energy for the coming year
indicates Francis Vachon, who describes himself as the unifying
of the event.
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The organizer of cold water swimming in the St. Lawrence, Francis Vachon
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More and more popular
The activity, which is in its second year, is growing in popularity. The Quebec in cold waters Facebook group now has more than 500 members.
The community of bathers grows from year to year, as Francis Vachon explains.
It is not a practice that is yet very well known, but it is becoming more and more popular. Before when we said “Ah yes! I jump in the water, I swim in winter”, people didn’t understand. they still don’t understand, but at least the majority of people know it exists
he notes.
The organizer of the event is already thinking of repeating the experience in 2026.
With information from Jérémie Camirand
Canada
