FestRider Photo Blog

Time for Ice Swimming!

Omsk, Green Island Park
Full Story: 81 photosQuick Impression: 27 photos
The temperature around −10°C is perfect for contemplative walks
Perhaps only birds can add a splash of color to the natural palette
And amid all this quiet beauty, the first athletes appear!
Evgeny Zhitnov asks the newcomers to raise their hands
A short jog is announced
The mascot of the hardening enthusiasts is popular with both guests and the main heroes of the day
Next comes the warmup: the Father Frost team demonstrates simple exercises
How much you enjoy the cold‑water dip depends on how well your muscles are warmed up
Some exercises require pairing up
Relays are also an essential part of the season’s opening
By the way, this was an Olympic sport about a hundred years ago!
Riding on inflatable tubes lifts the mood not just for kids, but for adults too
The newcomers go in first, cheered on by the rest of the group
Their impressions are overwhelmingly positive
They feel confident in the water but aren’t chasing records
Some beginners even find the courage to let go of the ladder for a short while
With a mom and grandma like that, no illness stands a chance!
There’s enough space in the ice hole for several people at once
Covering 25 meters in an ice hole takes character — and years of training
These are the people who actively promote a healthy lifestyle
Their speeds are off the charts
Flippers mean speed: they require more effort and better train the heart and lungs
Their genuine joy at simply being able to swim in winter is instantly recognizable
All ice‑water enthusiasts are incredibly open and cheerful
…or the admiration for the human spirit that conquers ice and cold?
Perhaps the answer will come at the next Omsk ice swimmers’ events!
So, what’s stronger: the awe inspired by the frosty beauty of nature…

Continuing with the Theme

And in the meantime, there’s time for a photo session — the kind you can only get at Winter Farewell!132 shots

Say Goodbye to Winter, Say Hello to Pancakes

Omsk, Krutaya Gorka Neighbourhood

In some places, the scenery looks downright otherworldly129 shots

Igloo City Made of Snow: Sun Above and Ice Below

Novosibirsk, Boomerang Beach

The last keepsake photos are taken129 shots

Bear Lake Fun: A Mud Festival Adventure

Novo‑Ilyinskoye (Kurgan Region)

A patron and philanthropist, Maria Shanina would surely have supported the flashmob…108 shots

The Magnetic Magic of Red

Omsk, City Garden

Just one more minute, and the main Father Frost will give the signal to start the parade66 shots

Celebrating Winter Wizard’s Birthday

Kalachinsk (Omsk Region)

…and take unique memorable shots36 shots

Fire of Ligo: Latvian Heritage with Siberian Hospitality

Bobrovka (Omsk Region)

All Photo Stories: 57