Crazy for that dip in the water

Have you thought about WHEN a Norwegian normally would put on his swimming pants and jump into the sea or outdoor pool?

Do you think the temperature in that water is the same as the water the Spaniard can be tempted by?

Isn't it a bit like norwegians from childhood are happy to jump in, over and over again, even if it's not particularly warm in the weather, or that you do not necessarily have a physical need to cool down your body?

Spaniards bathe only if it is hot in the air, in other words, because it will be nice with a refreshment of the body. And the water should have a good temperature. Yes, few Spaniards will "enjoy" swimming outdoors in Norway. They think the water's too cold. And maybe they don't "need" to bathe when they're in Norway.

Norwegians in Norway, on the other hand, take their morning baths and evening baths, and in festive companionship perhaps also a night bath.

And the kids would compete over who has bathed the most times in the day.

Counting how many times you bathe is, on the one hand, probably a matter of competition, but on the other hand perhaps more so that the number of times is a kind of proof that you are in a place where the weather is good, and with a good bathing water. And this last means that it is water with a good temperature - often a scarce commodity, and therefore one can triumphantly say that one enjoyed something "exclusive". Maybe.

But now there is also a new ice bath trend in the country. And in this case it is certainly not a high temperature in the water that is the point. According to a survey published, one in five young Norwegians intends to take an ice bath during the coming winter, according to figures from Ipsos in a survey initiated by the joint Felles Organisasjonen og Norsk Friluftsliv. This probably indicates more that Norwegians like physical challenges, nature and are now more concerned with doing healthy things. Healthy is trendy!

And if we then add that several Norwegian cities offer on their sea sides or - as in Drammen - by the riverbank, then you quickly understand the dimensions of this devotion to bathing in Norway.

In addition, many house or cottage owners have purchased outdoor hot tubs. Social device really, and another form of bathing madness..

Fra Aker Brygge i mars 2022.