Event Review: Winter Swimming World Cup, Skellefteå, Sweden

Ella Foote travels to Northern Sweden to take part in the Winter Swimming World Cup in Skellefteå and learns that swimmer’s creativity and eccentricity continues despite the freezing conditions

Just when I think I’ve witnessed everything the swimming world has to offer, I find myself perched on a snow-covered jetty, staring in disbelief as a man, submerged in icy zero-degree water and surrounded by blocks of ice, produces a mysterious pipe from a felt hat. The Winter Swimming World Cup in Skellefteå had officially rewritten my definition of endurance – and spectacle.

It was the fourth time the opening ceremony held a ‘Music in the ice hole’ competition alongside an equally eccentric ice-hole poetry contest. It was as beautifully bonkers as you could imagine and something I will never forget. At a time when the world is as divisive as ever, I witnessed people come together from around the globe to perform, compete, swim and celebrate in perfectly freezing conditions.

The World Cup in Skellefteå has been a winter highlight in the region for well over a decade and it was a huge honour to be invited to attend, swim and witness the human spirit of both swimmers and spectators. Like many swimming galas, especially ice swimming events, this was attended by local winter swimmers who meet annually to take part with swimmers across the globe, some from as far as Argentina. Like all the events that are part of the International Winter Swimming Association calendar this competition was open to every kind of swimmer, heads-up breaststrokers to serious speedy swimmers chasing times to compete at an elite level. There were many first-timers and a large group who were continuing their swimming across the frozen sea in Oulu, Finland the following week.

As well as music and poetry from swimmers the opening ceremony also featured local fire dancers and choral singing all staged in or on the ice in front of the 25-meter pool carved into the frozen sea at Kurjovikens Havsmarina in Skelleftehamn. It was the third year the event took place in the sea at this location, in previous years the competition was held in the Skellefte River in central Skellefteå. The change of location was to support the growing popularity of winter swimming and enable organisers to offer longer distance races and attract more international swimmers. The Winter Swim event is organised by the Mörkrets och Kylans Glada Vänner (The Happy Friends of Darkness and Cold) in partnership with the Winter Swimming Association.

Participants could enter and swim distances of 25m, 50m, 100m or 200m in the ice pool. There was also relay races of 4 x 25m breaststroke and freestyle. Alongside the various swimming events, the event also featured canoe polo in the ice hole (a world first), as well as pony rides, market stalls, snowmobile activities and opportunities for dog-sled tours. It really was an event for both swimmers and spectators.

Taking part in an event like this is always unimaginable until your toes hit the snow. I spent the week in Sweden, dipping in ice holes and warming up in saunas. I heard tales of the event in 2025, how it was so cold organisers couldn’t keep the pool from freezing over and swimmers swam with ice bergs. This year’s conditions were perfect. A fresh dump of snow, blue sky, sunshine and air temperature hovering around -3ºC, significantly warmer than the -20ºC temperatures in 2025. I didn’t have time to get nervous or anxious before my swim. After watching a few races, I joined a dog-sled ride across the frozen sea before joining the chatter and pre-race energy in the changing rooms. If you are low in mood, an ice swim event is the place to be. Fellow competitors hug, cheer and support you whatever your swim-style, whatever your event. Headgear is more impressive than swimwear and creativity is key.

There was only one other swimmer in my heat, a warm and bright Italian. The two of us were thrilled to be there and agreed the walk from the changing rooms to the pool was harder than the swim itself. Trying to walk in flip-flops in snow, ice and slush was more challenging than whipping our robes off in the minus air temperature. Rules state that we must be in the water with one shoulder under before the race would begin. Once in and swimming I didn’t want to get out. Swimming eye level with the ice and with the slight saltiness of the water I was reminded I was swimming in the sea. The sun created a glitter path ahead and I could hear cheers from spectators; it was all going to be over too soon. Just as my body had adjusted to the cold, I was out of the water and aching for longer. Next time I will join a longer event or take part in multiple distances!

Winter Swim has attracted many tourists and swimmers to the area and Skellefteå is well worth the visit. The annual event is usually held in February, date to be announced soon, put it on your 2027 swimwish list.