Perfect Day for a swim

<p>It was a bit cool day here in Oulu (Finland) today. I was taking photos at the Oulu river, but I had to get back home when my fingers started to get cold. On the way back I realized I should not be complaining about cold weather - it's all about attitude: http://www.jv-photos.net/?p=431</p>

<p>Wow, he must have a heck of a metabolism.</p>

<p>At -22C I would have expected more ice in the river. Is the river warmed by a hot spring somewhere? If not, the human body becomes immobile after only a few moments in very cold water. Did the guy ever come up?</p>

<p>There is some warmer water led to the river about a mile upstream and they keep the river open just for the swimmers by pumping "warmer" water from the bottom of deeper part of the river. Water surface was just beginning to form some ice but the stream kept it moving fast enough so that it could not form a firm ice cover.<br>

I think the water could not have been warmer than 1-2 degrees C.<br>

As strange as it may sound, this a favorite free time hobby for many people here. They do not stay in the water for a long time, just long enough to get the blood circulation accelerated. However, this was the first time I saw they do it also at this cold temperature.</p>