The Finns are eccentric in the best way. In Northern Europe, the winters get pretty chilly – and Northern Finland is up there with the coldest places on the continent. Doesn’t bother the Finns! Swimming in icy water is a widely practiced tradition, and every year locals compete in an extreme swimming race. For many here, a freezing cold dip is part of everyday life. Naturally, Euromaxx reporter Max Merrill went there to find out for himself how swimming in sub-zero temperatures feels. His challenge: to survive a 25-meter dash in a lake that’s just 1°c – and not come in last!
