GDid Drona’s Naidas get drunk? No. The women who swim in the Dordogne every Monday are between 35 and 77 years old. What do they have in common? Do not panic and get a certain taste for transgression, they are the ones who tell you that. “If I had been forced to swim in cold water, I would not have gone,” laughs Lillian Ribot, who changed to swimming in open water for a month and a half, regardless of the water and air temperature.
Cold therapy
This Monday, January 15, ten minutes before 10 a.m., they all arrive at the same time in the small swimming pool parking lot…
GDid Drona’s Naidas get drunk? No. The women who swim in the Dordogne every Monday are between 35 and 77 years old. What do they have in common? Do not panic and get a certain taste for transgression, they are the ones who tell you that. “If I had been forced to swim in cold water, I would not have gone,” laughs Lillian Ribot, who changed to swimming in open water for a month and a half, regardless of the water and air temperature.
Cold therapy
Ten minutes before 10 a.m. this Monday, January 15, they all arrive at the same time in the small parking lot of the Lisle Bathing Area, just off Bridge Road. There is no room for improvisation. “I recommend that those who wish to join us come in the fall rather than now. It is best to start swimming in water at 15 degrees Celsius. You have to go there slowly to swim at 5°C,” explains Suzy Haselton, of Franco-English origin, with her friend Sybil, about the aquatic adventure.
“You have to control your breathing, enter the water slowly but gradually”
The air is rather cold. The parking lot looks like an open-air cabin. Everyone puts on their swimsuits and wraps themselves in bathrobes. They all wear slippers, gloves and caps to protect their extremities.
“We are inspired by the Wim Hof method (this Dutchman, the Iceman, who climbed Everest in shorts, editor’s note), and his cold therapy. You should control your breathing, enter the water slowly but gradually. Our rule, to avoid the risk of hypothermia, is to stay in the water, one minute per degree,” explains Suzy, who is also the deputy mayor of Lisle, home to about 1,000 people.
Even though I’m in a good mood most of the time, I’m even more so when I get out of the cold water. I have enough for the whole day
Laughter and smiles are already flooding everyone’s faces. “I wanted to challenge myself for my 60th birthday. Even though I’m in a good mood most of the time, I’m even more so when I get out of the cold water. I have enough to last the whole day,” laughs Aniva Petit, who has been involved in the friendly venture since early November. Suzy gives it. Time to take a ritual selfie before jumping into the water.
The photo drone will link to the Valley Aqua Belles Facebook site, a showcase of “this group of women”.
A little selfie before every swim, an immutable ritual.
Philip Griller / “Southwest”
It’s time to take the plunge. There are 12 of them. The thermometer shows between 4 and 5 °C, more like 4 °C, a cold record. Suzy is the mistress of time, her eye glued to her watch. Sophia, who lives with multiple sclerosis, has been waiting for this moment. She happily gave up her crutches. “I start swimming without legs, I use them at the last minute. When I get out of the water, I can regain fluidity for an hour. Below 15 degrees Celsius is good for me,” smiles the swimmer.
Aleksandra Lamb, Polish, 40, is the team’s triathlete. When friends swim, she adopts a meditative posture. “Swimming in cold water is great for recovering tired muscles, it’s even better with nature. » It’s almost time to go out. On a neighboring bridge, a 38-ton honk blares loudly. The ball of Naiads in the bonnet does not go unnoticed.
The hardest part is getting into the water with gloves and a hat to protect your precious limbs.
Philip Griller / “Southwest”
For “Sud Oust”, the swimmer is perfect for posing in cold water.
Philip Griller / “Southwest”
Alexandra Lamb, 40, the team’s triathlete, is all smiles.
Philip Griller / “Southwest”
“When we go outside, we don’t feel cold immediately. It’s like we’re numb, we don’t have any pain,” Lillian and Annie say. “We don’t have sciatica anymore, even if it comes back the next day,” Anne and Aneva laugh. Swimming releases endorphins and dopamine, the happy hormones.
“When we come out of the water, we’re numb, there’s no pain,” testifies Lillian and Annie.
Philip Griller / “Southwest”
Everyone dresses very quickly and very warmly. The body is red. “When we go out we all drink tea or coffee. It’s important for the extremities,” explains Wesley van Oort from Holland, who says he gets energy after every shower. These women of the North, who do not fear the cold, now number as many French women in their ranks, or even more. There is as much laughter after swimming as before, but only female laughter.
“We asked ourselves the question of welcoming men. We polled, it was quite mixed. We told ourselves that the discussion after swimming was better between women. One man can spoil the atmosphere,” Suzy points out. Not closed, the informal group still organizes some mixed programs to finance donations, especially for Ukraine.
Finally, here we don’t ask for medical certificate, you just need to identify yourself on Facebook. “We’re not an organization,” explains Suzy. There are still golden rules to respect, warn those concerned. Practicing at home, starting with cold bath practice. Swimming in cold water especially requires mental and respiratory preparation. It would only be discouraged for people with respiratory, heart or blood pressure problems.
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