frosty baths at 11 degrees, the unusual idea of ​​this swimming pool is being emulated

This is a great first at the Saint-Pardoux lake swimming pool, in Haute-Vienne. During these end-of-year celebrations, it offers frosty baths in its outdoor fun pool, in water guaranteed to be eleven degrees. Two sessions took place on December 26 and 27, 2024. The next ones will take place on January 2 and 3, 2025.

We know about Christmas or January 1 baths on the seaside, like those of the White Bears in Biarritz for example. But not at Lake Saint-Pardoux, in Haute-Vienne. Finally, there is a water walking club that trains there, even at this time, but at the swimming pool, on the Santrop site, this had never taken place.“The initiative came from one of our lifeguardsexplains Dominique Garcia, the deputy director of EPIC (public establishment of an industrial and commercial nature) which manages the Saint-Pardoux lake. It must be said, the outdoor fun pool remains in water and in operation all year round, even if no one uses it. So he wanted to try it, then he convinced his colleagues to try.”

A new practice which still requires certain criteria. “We inquired about the rules to follow, particularly regarding the temperature, which must be at least 11 degrees, and the level of supervision, indicates Dominique Garcia. And as everything seemed to be going well, we wanted to offer it to the public on a few dates, during these holidays.”

Luckily, the weather is magnificent, the setting idyllic and the water… Not so cold! Raised to 13.6°C just before opening. “When we chose our dates, we were quite anxious. Will there be people? Will it be nice enough? Today is great, we couldn’t have dreamed of better, rejoices Dominique Garcia. But what if it had rained? Or much colder? We’ll see how this evolves.”

With a little communication, the pool managed to attract around ten curious people for the two inaugural sessions on December 26. Among the intrepid, a few unaware customers were tempted. In total, there will be fifteen of them slipping into the cold water.

At 2:30 p.m., the first group moves forward. He leaves the sweaty heat of the swimming pool, where the pool is at 29°C, for the outdoors. The weather is magnificent, almost windless, but at a truly seasonal temperature, less than ten degrees. The smiles tighten a little as they approach the pool. Some brave people already only have their swimsuits on, others regretfully take off their bathrobes… Well, since that’s what they’re there for, in the water!

Two schools are emerging: those who go directly, and those who try to acclimatize little by little. The first ones are already ecstatic.” Oh, it’s great, oh, I love it, oh, it’s so good”, we hear here and there. The seconds huff and grimace. Finally, everyone is there.

After a little more than five minutes, Christophe, the lifeguard who initiated the project, rappels out of the water. “Being able to imagine getting into the water on December 26… It’s still exceptional to be able to share it with the public.” he recalls. Head to the indoor pool now, for an equivalent amount of time in aquagym, followed by the same amount of time in the pool’s hammam.

Before starting again. “Three times five minutes in cold water, with the rest of the course, that’s what seemed reasonable to us, so as not to take any risks with the public”recognizes Dominique Garcia.

Because barely five minutes of frosty bathing, for €7.20 per session, it’s a bit short. And so this circuit is offered three times. Not without apprehension among swimmers. “The first time, it’s the challenge that pushes usconfesses Quentin, one of them. The second, we tell ourselves that it’s okay, we’re used to it. But the lifeguard told us that the last one, it was harder to leave the hammam.”

In the end, everyone put up with it. When they meet the second group of the afternoon, a touch of pride appears on their faces. Envy also for some, because if all the swimming pool facilities were now accessible to them, they could no longer go back outside.

Harsh for organizations, the activity is not authorized for those under 16 years old. All the same, she found her followers. “There is an original sideadmits Dominique Garcia. “This allows us to show that our equipment is open all year round and that it is not just the swimming pools of Limoges.”

Because these frosty baths might not be a simple “one shot”. For the moment, after December 27, 2024, only two other slots are on the program: January 2 and 3. But more could come, even before Christmas 2025.”We would like to do this again next year. But maybe even more. After all, these practices, which come from Nordic countries, bring a certain culture. And we would like to import them onto our site”, confides the deputy director of EPIC.

Otherwise, for those who miss the next opportunities, or if they have to wait a year, water walking is also organized in the lake, in much colder conditions: the members of the club practice it with thick wetsuits and the temperature is below eleven degrees.
Much, much frostier!