More than 500 swimmers fought in semi-freezing waters in the port of Taline, the capital of Estonia, on Friday, as part of a long winter relay race in a country where swimming is a popular way to beat the boredom from the restrictions of the Corona virus.
Each of the 505 participants' swimmers traveled 25 meters inside a submarine basin, taking 4 hours and 50 minutes.
Participants, many of whom wore funny hats, were between 9 and 83 years old, and they included a pregnant woman.
"It is a smart decision at the moment," said Roy Wissers, a participant in the race, after leaving the water, which reached a temperature of 4 degrees Celsius, to the air that was below zero.
He expressed his belief that this sport provides good protection in the face of "Covid-19".
"When you do this, your body produces more white blood cells. If the virus passes to you, there will be more white blood cells to attack and kill it," he told Reuters.
Dozens of fans cheered along the pool.
The race organizer Ivar Tugiedam and a fan of winter swimming said that this sport has been increasing in popularity since Estonia first imposed general isolation measures due to the Corona virus in the spring.
"Let's say that since spring and until now the number of swimmers in winter has increased to 3 times in Estonia. It has spread a lot and has become a really popular (sport)."