SHENYANG, Feb. 1 (Xinhua) -- When most people are wrapping themselves in thick coats, some swimmers are stripping down to their swimsuits to brave the icy water in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province.
Using a large hammer, winter swimming enthusiast Zhang Zhicheng carves out a pool in the frozen Hunhe River. The force of the hammer hitting ice on the river surface causes water and ice to fly in all directions.
As the temperature has fallen minus 28 degrees Celsius, the splashing water freezes immediately in the air. Gradually, a pool measuring 35 meters long and five meters wide is carved out.
"Every night, the river surface freezes over again and we have to clear the ice to allow swimming the next day," said Zhang. "It's like a warm-up before swimming."
With a gasp of surprise, Zhang Yongyuan, 66, dives into the water, and swims laps using a combination of styles such as breaststroke and backstroke.
"I swim in the icy water every day. The cold is endurable," said Zhang Yongyuan, adding that the activity has improved his cold resistance abilities and immunity.
Winter swimming is a popular sport in northeast China from the end of September through to March.
Eight cities including Shenyang, Dalian, and Dandong in Liaoning Province have winter swimming associations. By organizing swimming activities and competitions, the associations have attracted a lot of swimming enthusiasts, male and female, young and old.
In January, an international winter swimming competition was held in Shenyang, attracting more than 200 swimmers from China and Russia. The oldest competitor was 86 years old.
