Swimming for die-hards: New Year's swimming in Tegernsee is a source of enthusiasm

Created: 2023-01-02 07:00

By: Alexandra Korimorth

Off into the refreshing water: Yesterday, 30 water guards dared to swim in the 5.5 degree cold Tegernsee for a New Year's swim - supported by a good 50 spectators.

© Christian Scholle

The conditions were comparatively mild - although not for the faint of heart: the New Year's swim in Tegernsee took place at 17 degrees in the sun and 5.5 degrees in the water.

Gmund

– The fact that winter and ice swimming is an increasing trend and that diving into icy cold water on New Year's Day is a popular tradition among water sports enthusiasts at Lake Tegernsee attracted visitors to the bathing jetties in Seeglas near Gmund on Sunday.

"Groups kept coming all morning to take a dip," reports Strandbad host Georg von Preysing.

To be on the safe side, he kept an eye on the comings, divings and goings as long as the life guards next door weren't there yet.

Their official New Year's swim, to which some non-members also joined, started a little late, shortly after 1 p.m.: They were waiting for the comrades from Holzkirchen who were stuck in traffic.

At spring-like 17 degrees, waiting in bathrobes, bath towels wrapped around the hips and in warm stockings and boots was not a problem.

Mediziner bathes in the lake every week - even in winter

Lifeguard member and doctor Thomas Straßmüller (50) even regularly goes into the lake once or twice a week.

"Mostly until I'm sick, then I stop," he jokes.

Because from the health aspect, one cannot say in general that ice bathing is healthy or health-promoting.

“You have to know how to do it.

Otherwise it can also lead to heart and circulatory problems,” says Straßmüller.

It is important to take it slow: first cool down the extremities, then the kidney area, and finally immerse yourself briefly.

Whether you then swim a few strokes is a matter of training.

"But you should never put your head under water," advises the general practitioner, pointing to a number of ice swimmers wearing caps.

Had a lot of fun: the brave swimmers.

© Christian Scholle

Just like Gmund's cultural advisor Josef Stecher and daughter Marlene (12).

This time she is the youngest participant and for the second time: "For fun and because dad does it," she says with a laugh.

Four other young people from the youth training are there, a handful of female members.

But mostly it's the gentlemen who want to go swimming.

A total of 30 water guards from the Tegernsee valley and from Holzkirchen are at the start this year, the number has remained the same for years.

For most, swimming is a personal tradition.

"We think it's cool to welcome the new year like this," reports Sally Aldenhoven, who has been going on New Year's Eve with the whole family for six years now.

Also read: Tegernseerin swims in the lake all year round

After the group picture on the jetty, we went into the 5.5 degree cold water

After the obligatory group picture on the jetty and the admonishing and encouraging words of the local group chairman Quirin Perchermeier, it all started: The water sports enthusiasts acknowledged with a "Juhu!", "Ahhh!", "Oooohaa!", even with a whoop or yodel the contact with the 5.5 degree cold water.

Some stalked into the water from the shore, others went in from one of the two jetties, only dived in briefly and were out again faster than in.

Others did a few strokes, two participants even swam from one jetty to the other.

They all came out red and with good blood circulation, changed their clothes and warmed up inside the hut by the heated stove with mulled wine and children's punch.

"A great experience," exclaimed Anne Stuck (60) from Munich enthusiastically.

She had spent New Year's Eve with friends in Waakirchen, only found out about swimming in the morning, borrowed a bathing suit and spontaneously participated.

"I'll be there again next year," she announced - membership of the Gmund water rescue service cannot be ruled out.

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