Braving America’s ice water ‘Olympics’

Ginny Peck, 76, swims the 50 meter freestyle race during the Memphremagog Winter Swimming Festival in Newport, Vermont, on February 26, 2022. – 122 swimmers took part in Olympic style heats all weekend, with competitors ranging in age from 14 years old to their late 70’s. Swimmers’ times are recorded and winners are awarded with maple syrup and beef jerky. (Photo by Joseph Prezioso / AFP)

NEWPORT, UNITED STATES—In this city in Vermont, near the border with Canada, 76-year-old Ginny Peck gingerly stepped into Lake Memphremagog, the temperature just above zero.

“I think I’m a cold person to begin with,” Peck told Agence France-Presse (AFP) after completing the 50-meter freestyle at the Memphremagog Winter Swim Festival—America’s ice swimming “Olympics”—which took place on Saturday and Sunday.

This was the fourth time she entered the annual event, which started in 2015 and had more than 120 hardy souls taking part this year.

Peck, who is from the northeastern state of New Hampshire, wore just goggles, a cap and swimsuit as she did the front crawl through waters at 34 degrees Fahrenheit (1.1 degrees Celsius).

No wetsuits were allowed in the 75-foot pool that had been cut out of the frozen freshwater glacial lake.

Curious spectators stood in the snow, wearing thick winter jackets, thermals, hats and gloves as they cheered on participants, ranging in age from 14 to late 70s.

“I think I’ve always been comfortable with cold,” said Peck. “I love a challenge. I get a rush when I get out of that water.”

After getting out of the water she headed straight to a small building on the side of the lake.

Wrapped in blankets and towels, Peck and the other competitors put their feet in buckets of warm water. Some shivered while others shared laughs with friends.

Mix of competitors

The swimmers flock to Newport from all over the United States and Canada, some of them experienced cold-water swimmers while others, here just to try it once.

“We have over 100 swimmers from around the country, and many of them have been here before, many of them are new,” said event founder Philip White, 73.

Categories include the 25-meter freestyle, 200-meter freestyle, 25-meter breaststroke and 25-meter fly, as well as relay races.

Vera Rivard, who is also from New Hampshire, is one of the more experienced swimmers. The 18-year-old had swum the Triple Crown of open-water swimming, which includes the English Channel, the Catalina Channel off Southern California and the Manhattan Island marathon swim in New York City.

Not every swimmer is as expert as Peck or Rivard. Many don’t finish their swims and most need an escort to take them to the warming hut, but almost everyone leaves the water with a smile.

This competition is so far the only one in the United States. But White hopes to organize more.

So what do the winners receive? Medals, yes—but also maple syrup and beef jerky. — AFP