Cold-water swimming advice and safety – Otužilci Frýdek≈Místek

21 August 2026Cold-water swimming advice and safety

How to get into cold-water swimming — without overcomplicating it

The internet is awash with advice on how to get used to cold water. As so often happens, the first thing you see is a paid course, a “unique method”, cold therapy, biohacking or a workshop where you spend several thousand crowns learning that cold water is cold and that you should breathe properly while you are in it.

Otakar Zemek21 August 202610 min read

Transcript: Ota Zemek's discussion with AI about cold-water shock

While reviewing the website, AI challenged what I had written about experienced cold-water swimmers jumping into icy water. Rather than letting it rewrite the text automatically, I asked for a single well-documented case, followed by a precise examination of the studies behind its position. The outcome was more than a simple yes or no: it was a much clearer distinction between a measurable bodily response and clinically dangerous cold-water shock.

Otakar Zemek21 August 202615 min read

Two weeks of cold-water swimming: how do you keep going all winter?

It has been two weeks since the season began. The weather has mostly been kind to us. The water is around 15°C; only once has it been as low as 10.6°C. The sun is shining, and getting out of the water feels almost like summer. Every Saturday somebody new comes along to try it and thinks: so this is cold-water swimming? Now is the time to pay attention.

Otakar Zemek14 October 20232 min read

Making cold-water swimming enjoyable: a talk at Faunapark Frýdek-Místek

You are invited to a talk and discussion about cold-water swimming, functional breathing and healthy living in general. We will be in the barn at Faunapark. This time, I will be joined by Petr Paseka, a 24/7 Oxygen Advantage functional breathing instructor, and Pavel Jiřík, founder of the Frýdlant nad Ostravicí cold-water swimming group.

Otakar Zemek10 August 20231 min read

What a master's thesis found about cold-water swimming and life satisfaction

Cold-water swimming is often associated with physical health and tolerance of the cold. In her master's thesis, The Influence of Cold-Water Swimming on Individual Life Satisfaction, Radka Pavelková also explored its psychological aspects and the role of the group. Her research was carried out among the Otužilci Frýdek-Místek community.

Otakar Zemek29 March 20232 min read

Start cold-water swimming now — even in January or February

Every Saturday throughout the winter, I am at U Žida for anyone who wants to start swimming in cold river water. Whether you are 9 or 90, come along: turning up is the hardest part. I will help you through those difficult first steps, but keeping it up is down to you.

Otakar Zemek14 January 20231 min read

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18 November 2022Cold-water swimming advice and safety

10 myths about cold-water swimming

First, a few words of introduction. I had been thinking about writing this for several years. I discussed every topic with many experienced cold-water swimmers, including people who pass on the myths below with the best of intentions. We often found that something is repeated out of a kind of precaution: ‘Ota, if you say jumping into icy water is OK, someone will miss the part where you say it is not for beginners, jump in and hurt themselves.’

Otakar Zemek18 November 202211 min read

Planning to swim in winter? Book your exercise ECG in summer

If you are thinking of taking up cold-water swimming in the autumn, consider an exercise ECG. It can reveal heart problems that a resting ECG may miss. This can help prevent complications and identify whether swimming in icy water is unsuitable for you.

Otakar Zemek22 June 20221 min read

What are the benefits of cold-water swimming?

We hear everywhere that cold exposure benefits the immune system and releases endorphins, leaving us in a wonderful mood.

Otakar Zemek5 March 20221 min read

You can start anytime — why not 8 January 2022?

Thinking of trying cold-water swimming? In this January 2022 article, Ota explains how newcomers join the Saturday swims in Frýdek-Místek and shares a video of first-time participants. Get in touch or come and meet the group.

Otakar Zemek8 January 20221 min read

You can start anytime — even Saturday 23 October 2021

Ten-year-old Tomáš and 15-year-old Kája tried their first cold-water swim today. Thinking of joining us? Get in touch beforehand and read our beginners’ guide. Here are photographs from today’s swim. Update: the videos have been removed.

Otakar Zemek23 October 20211 min read

You can swim in icy water even at eighty

Winter swimming is not just for the young. If your health allows, you can come for a swim even at eighty — with the water at 1°C, the air at −3°C and ice floating on the surface, as it was today.

Otakar Zemek1 February 20211 min read

Equipment for winter swimming

Winter swimming has rules, something most beginners do not realise. Search for ‘winter swimming rules’ if you would like to read them in full. You may think you will never enter a competition, and perhaps you will not, but we will still follow the rules.

Otakar Zemek26 January 20212 min read

Your first cold-water swim — in a river at 3.3°C

That is how we do things at U Žida on the Ostravice in Frýdek-Místek. If you are healthy, come along, listen to the essentials and go for a swim. No unnecessary talk, preparation or meditation. Get in and swim. You can try it too, perhaps as soon as next Saturday.

Otakar Zemek9 January 20211 min read

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19 December 2020Cold-water swimming advice and safety

A first dip in icy water: the Ostravice at 3.3°C

This is what stepping out of your comfort zone and starting cold-water swimming in mid-December looks like. You can begin at any time — you just need the will.

Otakar Zemek19 December 20201 min read

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28 November 2020Cold-water swimming advice and safety

A first dip — video and photos from Saturday 28 November 2020

As on every Saturday, a few brave souls — six today — decided to try their first dip in the cold river. The water was 5.9°C, and as you can see, everyone loved it :-) I hope we meet again. Coming a second time is harder than the first: now you know what to expect :-)

Otakar Zemek28 November 20201 min read

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12 February 2020Cold-water swimming advice and safety

Winter swimming rules

Winter swimming rules: definitions, the competition season, water-temperature categories, course requirements, equipment, safety arrangements and rules for competitors. This article reproduces the historical rules published at the time.

Otakar Zemek12 February 202010 min read

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