With the Eden Prairie Police and Fire departments putting on a Polar Bear Plunge today, we thought we’d explore the topic of winter swimming, which some believe has health benefits. Avantouinti means “ice hole swimming” in Finnish. “Avanto swimmers say it makes them feel fresh throughout the day, some even claim it helps build resistance to the common flu.” The practice seems to be regaining a foothold in Finnish traditions, it is also traditionally done in northern China and Russia, as well as Norway and Sweden, often after sauna use. The Avantouinti Society maintains swimming sites throughout the winter in Finland. The Web site www.cankar.org [1] suggests safety precautions, like consulting your doctor if you have a history of cardiac trouble, wearing water socks and letting your body get accustomed to the cold outside air before plunging.

Source: www.wikipedia.com [2] and www.cankar.org [3].