Kenny Neilson, also known as "Head Ned," is the founder of the Polar Bear Club and a driving force behind the cold water therapy movement. With a passion for exploring the limits of the human body and mind, Kenny has dedicated himself to spreading awareness of the benefits of cold water immersion. As the founder of the Polar Bear Club, he has created a welcoming and inclusive space where visitors can safely and comfortably experience the invigorating effects of cold water therapy. With a commitment to education and community, Kenny continues to inspire and motivate people to push their boundaries and explore new levels of wellness.

Valerjan Romanovski is a key member of the Polar Bear Club team and a world-renowned expert in cold water therapy. He holds the current world record for ice immersion and has dedicated his career to studying the benefits of cold water therapy on the body and mind. Valerjan has authored two books on the subject and is passionate about sharing his knowledge and experience with others. As a member of the Polar Bear Club team, he brings a wealth of expertise to the table and is committed to helping visitors get the most out of their cold water therapy experience. Visit his website to learn more: https://valerjanromanovski.pl/

​Bernadette is an irreplaceable all rounder at the Polar Bear Club - she heads up our Recovery Team, is a fantastic Coach and also helps with general club maintenance. Bernadette joined the Polar Bear Club in 2022 after practising cold water exposure for several years. She took part in the first ever hypothermia training retreat with Valerjan Romanovski at Loch Tay in 2023, endured -50 degrees in the specialised weather chamber in Poland twice, and also competed in the International Ice Championships in 2024. Her knowledge and experience of the cold combined with her natural care for everyone who comes through our doors led to her nickname "Mammy" and we are very grateful to have her looking after us all! 

Tommy is an essential member of the Polar Bear Club team, serving as the photographer for the club's events and activities. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for capturing the perfect shot, Tommy ensures that every moment of the cold water therapy experience is beautifully documented. His work not only showcases the stunning visuals of the ice baths and activities but also captures the sense of community and connection that visitors feel at the Polar Bear Club. Through his photography, Tommy helps to share the benefits and excitement of cold water therapy with a wider audience.

Michael met Kenny in 2022 and played an integral role in the founding of the Polar Bear Club as we know it today. He took part in the first ever Hypothermia training retreat at Loch Tay in 2023, has been to the -50 chamber in Poland, taken part in the International Ice Championships as part of the coaching team, and is the current British record holder for full body direct contact with ice (2 hours 10 minutes). Michael's own extensive experience in the ice has given him the knowledge to become one of our most loved coaches and his catchphrase "Don't think, just do" is uttered by many before they push themselves to achieve something they previously thought impossible. 

Allana joined the Polar Bear Club in 2023 and immediately proved her power in the ice. After pushing herself in both long exposure and reset categories in the club, she went on to endure a full 24 hours at -50 degrees in the specialised weather chamber in Krakow University, spent over 2 hours in full body direct contact with ice (beating Wim Hof's record) and also took part in Project Titanic where she spent 1 hour and 40 minutes in the Baltic Sea in full period dress, demonstrating the body's ability to survive even the most extreme situations. Allana's personal experience has helped her become one of our most knowledgeable coaches, guiding countless people through their ice baths as she continues her own journey in ice training. 

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Fiona joined the Polar Bear Club in 2022 and was vital in making it the success it is today. She took part in the first ever Hypothermia training retreat at Loch Tay in 2023, has been to the -50 chamber in Poland and has taken part in the International Ice Championships, both as an entrant and as part of the coaching team. Fiona is the current World Record holder for Most Resets in Ice Water (619) and uses her advanced knowledge of this most extreme form of ice training to coach others in the club. Fiona also singlehandedly designs and runs our popular clothing line, keeping everyone in the Polar Bear Club merch we all love so much!

​Luca joined the Polar Bear Club in 2023 and his immediate love for the ice, as well as the community he found there, helped him on his sobriety journey from a 20 year addiction. Luca immediately demonstrated his power in the ice, with 50 resets on his first ever visit and then going on to the -50 chamber in Poland, gaining 4th place in the International Ice Championships with a time of 3 hours and 32 minutes and enduring 2 hours and 1 minute in full body direct contact with ice (beating Wim Hof's record). Luca is a Type 1 diabetic and also suffers from Hypothyroidism but, with the right mindset, he has achieved incredible feats in ice and cold exposure, inspiring others to push beyond their limits. His knowledge and calm demeanour have made him one of our most loved coaches. 

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Leo is a scenic artist to trade and has selflessly donated his time and expertise to help us prepare, decorate and maintain our headquarters. Leo's attention to detail and his commitment to helping people are invaluable to the Polar Bear Club. Most importantly, Leo and Kenny's playful love/hate relationship brings laughter to the whole community - 'Mon the Penguins!
 

​Katie joined the Polar Bear Club in 2023 and although she found immediate benefits in the ice, she quickly showed that her real skills lie in organisation and management. She is Kenny's right hand woman and helps with the day-to-day running of the club as well as being Hypothermia trained to work in coaching and recovery. Katie also runs the funding side of our club and is the first port of call for any questions or queries. 

Nicole is the heart and soul of the spiritual side of the Polar Bear Club, guiding our special ice ceremony nights with deep wisdom and warmth. She joined the club in 2023 after years of solo dipping and brought with her a deeply grounding presence and years of holistic experience. A qualified Reiki Master for over eight years, Nicole also works with Reiki vibrational drumming, sound baths, and quantum entanglement healing, as well as full-body and Indian head massage. While she doesn't currently offer individual treatments from the Polar Bear Club, we look forward to incorporating more of her holistic therapies into the club in the future. 

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