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Our Achievements

Welcome to the Polar Bear Club's Achievements page! Here we celebrate the accomplishments of our founders in cold exposure and conquering their fears. Highlights include rigorous training in Scotland with Valerjan Romanovski, appearances in the media, and participation in events such as the Poland Mielno International Dipping Championship and setting a new record. Our founders have also engaged in important debates on mental health and addiction. We are proud of their resilience and determination in enduring extreme temperatures.

13-16/01/2023

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Valerjan Romanovski visits Loch Tay to Give Hypothermia Training to Polar Bear Club Community Leaders

In January 2023, the Polar Bear Club conducted training in Scotland for its young group of members who are enthusiastic about using the stimulation of cold as a support in addiction. The training aimed to increase safety and understanding of how cold affects the body, including the hazards and methods of swimming and restoring body temperature. Practical exercises included individual work to manage fear and stress, training the psyche through contact with the cold, and setting boundaries for the body and psyche. The founder of the group, Kenny Neilson, was inspired by the positive effects of cold water on his own condition and wanted to help others. Miro Merta, a Pole currently living in Scotland, helped connect the group to the training.

12/02/2023

Polar Bear Club Takes Part in Large Polar Bear Dip in Poland

n February, members of the Polar Bear Club attended the 12th Ice Swimmers Convention in Mielno, Poland, where thousands of swimmers of all ages gathered to take part in a polar bear dip. The event saw an impressive number of swimmers from various countries, including Spain, Sweden, Czech Republic, Germany, Ukraine, and Poland, take the plunge in icy waters at 4°C. The event was organized by the Centrum Promocji i Informacji Turystycznej Gminy Mieln to promote ice swimming in the area, healthy living, and the village as a destination for events outside of the warm summer months. The Polar Bear Club was proud to be a part of this event and to support the promotion of cold exposure.

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12/02/2023

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The Polar Bear Club Attends Open Debate on Cold Exposure and Mental Health with Influential Figures in Cold Water Therapy Community

The Polar Bear Club attended an open debate on the topics of alcoholism, addiction, mental health, and the benefits of cold exposure. The event featured influential figures in the cold water therapy community, including Bartlomiej Kubkowski, who swam 115 km (over 71 miles) in the Baltic Sea for 32.5 hours and has a project this year to swim 170 km (over 105 miles) in a straight line from Sweden to Poland for 60 hours. The discussion provided valuable insights and perspectives on the importance of cold exposure for mental and physical health.

09/02/2023

Kenny Places 17th in the Grueling Mielno International Dipping Championship

Kenny's remarkable achievement in the Mielno International Dipping Championship is one to be celebrated. Enduring sub-zero temperatures for an hour and 20 minutes, Kenny displayed true grit and determination in a competition that demanded physical and mental toughness. Despite facing stiff competition from 98 participants, Kenny rose to the challenge and secured a commendable 17th place finish. His impressive performance in this grueling event showcases his strength of character and unwavering commitment to achieving his goals. Congratulations, Kenny, on this remarkable achievement.

Highlights include rigorous training in Scotland with Valerjan Romanovski, appearances in the media, and participation in events such as the Poland Mielno International Dipping Championship and setting a new record. Our founders have also engaged in important debates on mental health and addiction. We are proud of their resilience and determination in enduring extreme temperatures.

Polar Bear Club's Achievements page! Highlights include training in Scotland with Valerjan Romanovski, appearances in the media, and participation in events such as the International Dipping Championship. Our founders engaged in important debates on mental health and addiction.

02/04/2023

Training in -50°C Temperatures at Krakow University of Technology Thermoclimatic Chamber

Our team was determined to gain a deeper understanding of the effects of extreme cold on the body and the necessary safety protocols required to withstand such conditions. To achieve this, we traveled to Krakow, Poland to participate in an experiment at the Cracow University of Technology's thermoclimatic chamber.

The chamber allowed us to simulate an extreme cold environment of -50 degrees Celsius (-58 degrees Fahrenheit) and monitor our physical and mental responses. Before entering the chamber, we received a thorough briefing on safety protocols and proper attire for extreme cold conditions.

For three hours, we endured the frigid temperatures while being closely monitored by medical professionals to ensure our safety. This experience provided us with valuable knowledge and firsthand experience of the effects of extreme cold on the body and the importance of proper safety protocols when exposed to such conditions.

Our team left the experiment with a newfound appreciation for the power of extreme cold and a deeper understanding of the importance of cold exposure and safety protocols.