'Totally cold' is not too cold for winter swimmers competing in a frozen Vermont lake
Plunging into a frozen lake and swimming laps may not be everyone’s good time but it is for some winter swimmers
NEWPORT, Vt. (AP) — Plunging into a frozen lake and swimming laps may not be everyone's good time but for winter swimmers who return year after year to a northern Vermont lake near the Canadian border, there's nothing better.
The 10th annual Memphremagog Winter Swimming Festival kicked off Friday with the 200-meter (218-yard) freestyle race in a narrow pool cut from the ice. But the festivities started Thursday and on Friday morning some of the 180 participants swam a lap wearing a decorated hat.
“It was amazing. It's the highlight of my year," said Andie Nelson, of Arlington, Virginia, after swimming 25 meters (27 yards) in the hat competition. “It makes me happy."
She planned to compete in all events over the three days and said it's more about the people and comradery than the icy water.
