Three Chinese grandpas in their 70s defy age to swim in the frozen Beita Lake of Yinchuan, the capital city of northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.
YINCHUAN, China, Jan. 15 (Xinhua) -- When most people are bundled up in thick layers of clothing, three Chinese grandpas in their 70s prepare for a dip in the frozen Beita Lake of Yinchuan, the capital city of northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.
When 75-year-old Guo Fu arrived at the lake in the early afternoon, some of the fellow swimmers were breaking the ice to dig a water lane of 10 meters long and two meters wide, while others were clearing pieces of ice.
After swimming in the icy water lane in the frozen Beita Lake of Yinchuan, China, on Jan. 9, 2021, Wang Baosheng, 72, went ashore to take a quick shower on the ice with a bucket of clean water brought from home. (Xinhua/Li Guangtao)
"In winter swimming, we have to do this first every time before going into the water to prevent our skin from being scratched," said Guo.
Guo has been swimming for years, but he began winter swimming when he was 70 years old. "I saw some peers swim in icy water and they look good and cool. I also had a try and I seldom catch a cold these years," said Guo. "It's amazing!"
Wang Baosheng, 72, is the swimming partner of Guo. "I keep swimming every day, even in the coldest days in the winter. Life would seem to be lacking something if I miss a winter swimming day," Wang smiled.
75-year-old Guo Fu (R) and Wang Baosheng (L) were swimming in the icy water of Beita Lake of Yinchuan, China, on Jan. 9, 2021. (Xinhua/Xie Jianwen)
According to Guo, the reason why people bear the biting cold to keep swimming in the winter is that it can benefit the body's microcirculation, and also promote blood circulation, like doing vascular gymnastics.
The duo swam a circuit in the water lane before going ashore to take a simple and quick shower on the ice using a bucket of clean water brought from home.
Wang, having been swimming in the winter for over 20 years, and taking part in triathlon competitions for more than 10 years, was thus given the name "ironman". He once swam across China's two longest rivers, the Yangtze River and the Yellow River, and even took part in an international winter swimming competition in Russia's Vladivostok.
Aerial photo taken on Jan. 9, 2021 shows the view of a swimming performance by a winter swimming lover. (Xinhua/Tang Rufeng)
"Winter swimming is quite challenging and it feels like the cold water is biting your bones, but I love challenges," said Wang, adding that he also likes to cycle and run marathons in summer and autumn.
On the first day of the year of 2021, Wang went to Lanzhou City of China's Gansu Province for a winter swimming performance in the Yellow River to celebrate the new year.
"The water was much colder, but I succeeded to cross the river after drifting about 700 meters several minutes later," said Wang. "I was more than excited to get my first medal of the year."
Together with Wang, 74-year-old Li Fazhong also went swimming in the rapid Yellow River and received the same medal as a new year's present.
"Both of us felt greatly encouraged and old age didn't prevent us from taking challenges, though I have a poor memory now," Li said, adding that he has forgotten his water bucket on the ice several times.
With the wish to reduce the burden on his children, Li swims in the winter to stay out of the hospital. While for Wang, it's a way to boost his immune system and keep him away from the COVID-19 virus.
"For people at my age, all we can do in the nationwide campaign against the pandemic is to stay healthy and leave the limited medical resources to someone in need," said Wang.
Some think it's crazy for those grandpas to try such a dangerous exercise, but they don't mind. As the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics nears, Li even learned to skate to warm up after going ashore from the icy water.
"Scientifically speaking, it's safe if you strictly control the duration in the water as the water temperature changes," smiled Li. "They would never know how much fun we have derived from winter swimming unless they join us." ■
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