Peta Bradley becomes ice swimming world champion after training in muddy dam

To prepare for the 2024 International Ice Swimming Association World Championships, ice swimmer Petar Bradley only took cold showers for the last four months of 2024. The championships, held in northern Italy with water temperatures of only 1.5 degrees Celsius, required this extreme training method to adapt to the harsh competition environment.

Bradley stated, "The water temperature at our competition was the coldest I've ever experienced." She also emphasized that even a few degrees difference is crucial for ice swimmers. "The difference between five degrees, four degrees, and three degrees might not sound like much, but it's actually a huge difference."

In this competition, Bradley participated in the 250m, 500m, and 1000m freestyle events, winning one gold medal and two silver medals. The 29-year-old discovered ice swimming while living in Armidale during the COVID-19 lockdowns, training in very cold waterholes. She recalled, "When the pandemic hit, we started looking for other ways to exercise and found that the dams were accessible, which was fine in March. We kept at it, discovered the benefits of cold water swimming, and then it was July, the ground was frozen, and we were still lining up to jump in the water."

Bradley explained, "I don't think I'm crazy, I'm just passionate about it and fascinated by that addictive high you get after ice swimming. Whether in competition or just enjoying it, there's a huge rush of endorphins after getting into any cold water." She has now moved back to Armidale, and when the nearby swimming pool closes for the winter, she trains for long periods in the muddy dam on her property. She mentioned, "The closest training pool is over 100 kilometers away, so I spend a lot of time swimming in the farm's dam. Luckily, we've had a good season, the dams are full, but the water is murky, a far cry from the beautiful lakes in Europe."

When leaving Australia before Christmas, the local temperature had reached 40 degrees Celsius. Bradley said, "Before the competition, I spent about two and a half weeks traveling in Scotland, Germany, and the UK. It sounds like a vacation, but the purpose was to acclimatize. Coming from the Australian summer to a cold environment, I had to find as much cold water as possible to train in." The competition was held in Molveno near the Dolomites, testing the athletes' physical and mental endurance. Bradley stated, "It taught me to embrace discomfort, which I think provides good mental and physical tools for your daily life."

Ice swimming is a niche but growing sport, defined by water temperatures below five degrees Celsius. Bradley said, "In the competitions I've participated in, they actually have to cut the ice off the top of the pool every morning. I'm not talking about a thin layer, but several inches of ice on the surface." Ice swimming safety protocols are very strict. Participants undergo regular medical check-ups, including an electrocardiogram every two years, to ensure their hearts can withstand the stress. Rescue teams monitor swimmers as they exit the water and are ready to intervene if problems arise.

Bradley emphasized, "It's really about knowing your body, respecting the limits, and respecting the cold water. Because when things go wrong, they can go wrong quickly, and you don't want to put yourself in that position." More than 750 athletes from 48 countries participated in this championship. Bradley has returned to work at Meat & Livestock Australia, working in the field of sheep genetics. But she has not finished her journey in the pool. "I've considered quitting ice swimming competitions, not ice swimming itself, but that thought is still there," Bradley said. "But I'm also keen to try some other challenges. In 2023, I was part of a relay team that completed part of the English Channel swim, so whether it's the English Channel or other long-distance swims around the world, I might want to try it. But I haven't made any commitments yet."