Ice Swimming near Sundsvall

🧊 Ice swimming in Sundsvall

Sundsvall's kommun is nationally recognised as a role model for safe isvak (ice-hole) bathing — it even runs school sessions through its "Kom ut" programme. Two volunteer-run spots offer organised dips all winter, and the Bothnian Sea stays swimmable for the brave all year round.

🧊 Isvak = a hole sawn in the ice, usually with a ladder, frame and warming hut
👥 Go with a group — both Sundsvall spots have welcoming Facebook communities
🌡️ Water temp — isvak water sits at 0–2°C; the sea around 1–4°C mid-winter
💬 Want company? Email CliveSwims — happy to point you at the right group or join you for a dip

In Sundsvall — organised isvak

Sidsjön isvak — Sundsvall Polar BearsHOME ~3 km from centre · isvak at the long jetty by Sidsjöstugan warming hut · ~2 m deep, roped frame · ladder entry · värmestuga for changing · the kommun cuts the hole for school groups too

Dyket, Döviksjön (Njurunda)HOME ~20 km south · isvak + sauna run by Dykets intresseförening · active cold-dip group that trains for winter swim competitions · dyket.se and Dyket's Facebook for current bathing times

Sea dips — year-round, no ice hole needed

Sundsvallsfjärden & Alnö 0–15 km · sea stays open much of the winter — jetties at the city beaches and Alnö's coves · water 1–4°C Dec–Mar

Juniskär ~15 km south · sheltered Bothnian bay behind the skerries — Clive's home waters for cold dips

Smitingen, Härnösand ~60 km north · famous surf beach — winter waves and cold sea dips at one of Norrland's finest bays; Klubbsjön lake nearby for a calmer dip

Stenö Havsbad, Söderhamn ~115 km south · floating sauna raft moored at the pier — a maintained isvak beside it all winter · book online, pay by Swish or card

Events worth the trip

Vansbro Vintersim ~190 km SW · late Jan/early Feb · a 25×8 m pool sawn into the Västerdalälven — 25 m & 50 m swims, 4×25 m relays, "dip in the isvak" for 150 kr · swimsuit + hat only, no wetsuits · the Dyket group races here ✉️ Enquire

Scandinavian Winter Swimming Champs, Skelleftehamn ~250 km N · late Feb · World Cup stop and Scandinavia's biggest winter swim — 25/50/100/200 m in a frozen marina basin, plus relays, ice-hole poetry and music · organised by Mörkrets och Kylans Glada Vänner ✉️ Enquire

⚠️ Ice bathing — do it safely

Never dip alone — join the Polar Bears or Dyket group, or bring a friend who stays dry
Cold shock is real: enter slowly, control your breathing, keep your head above water your first times
Stay in for seconds, not minutes — 30–60 s is plenty at 0–2°C
Know your exit before you enter — use the ladder, never swim under ice
Dress warm before and after; hat and warm layers ready at the edge
Skip it if you have heart or blood-pressure issues — check with a doctor first