The swimming women of Iceland
12/11/23 • 31 min
THIS week’s From A To Sea podcast is very close to Southern Star editor Siobhán Cronin's heart.
Since the 90s she has been visiting Iceland whenever she could get the chance – and whenever her wallet would allow.
Her most recent visit was just a few weeks ago, as the earthquakes rattled the region near the main airport and the people of this wonderful land were in fear of a dormant volcano erupting at any moment.
On the Saturday morning of her long weekend, Siobhán happened to visit the local beach outside Reykjavik and just by pure good timing and luck, stumbled up on a group of local women enjoying their regular dipping routine.
Siobhán's friend, a Reykjavik local, was able to introduce her and within minutes she found herself togging out for a dip on the magnificent beach overlooking the city.
These women are amazing. They meet three times a week and do a short meditation before the swim, as well as opening what they call their ‘complaints department’ where anyone in the circle of friends can vent their anger or upset about anything at that moment.
That morning swimmer Margaret said she was anxious about the events at the time and everyone shared in that anxiety. But she said she realised that nothing would improve her mood better than a dip with her lady friends in the ocean.
These women don’t wear wetsuits, just neoprene gloves, boots and distinctive yellow hats.
These inspiring women formed the Happier You swimming group during Covid, when their usual hot-spring pools were closed to the public.
Siobhán just had to learn more about these delightful women, living on the island which is our closest northern neighbour, so she invited Tinna, Margaret and Klara on the podcast to share their story.
This episode was produced and presented by Siobhán Cronin, with editing by Dylan Mangan.
***
Thanks for listening to The Southern Star's From A to Sea Podcast. Please be sure to like, share and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.
Listen to our previous episodes by clicking here.
For stories like this and more, pick up a copy of this week's Southern Star or subscribe online via www.southernstar.ie/epaper.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
THIS week’s From A To Sea podcast is very close to Southern Star editor Siobhán Cronin's heart.
Since the 90s she has been visiting Iceland whenever she could get the chance – and whenever her wallet would allow.
Her most recent visit was just a few weeks ago, as the earthquakes rattled the region near the main airport and the people of this wonderful land were in fear of a dormant volcano erupting at any moment.
On the Saturday morning of her long weekend, Siobhán happened to visit the local beach outside Reykjavik and just by pure good timing and luck, stumbled up on a group of local women enjoying their regular dipping routine.
Siobhán's friend, a Reykjavik local, was able to introduce her and within minutes she found herself togging out for a dip on the magnificent beach overlooking the city.
These women are amazing. They meet three times a week and do a short meditation before the swim, as well as opening what they call their ‘complaints department’ where anyone in the circle of friends can vent their anger or upset about anything at that moment.
That morning swimmer Margaret said she was anxious about the events at the time and everyone shared in that anxiety. But she said she realised that nothing would improve her mood better than a dip with her lady friends in the ocean.
These women don’t wear wetsuits, just neoprene gloves, boots and distinctive yellow hats.
These inspiring women formed the Happier You swimming group during Covid, when their usual hot-spring pools were closed to the public.
Siobhán just had to learn more about these delightful women, living on the island which is our closest northern neighbour, so she invited Tinna, Margaret and Klara on the podcast to share their story.
This episode was produced and presented by Siobhán Cronin, with editing by Dylan Mangan.
***
Thanks for listening to The Southern Star's From A to Sea Podcast. Please be sure to like, share and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.
Listen to our previous episodes by clicking here.
For stories like this and more, pick up a copy of this week's Southern Star or subscribe online via www.southernstar.ie/epaper.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Previous Episode
Pamela Deasy on the Union Hall swim and how the sea helped during her recovery from cancer
PAMELA Deasy is a force to be reckoned with. The Union Hall woman, who grew up by the sea, is a great ambassador for West Cork.
Through her work with the RNLI, she has touched many families and seen both tragedy and joy at close range.
Her own personal life has brought her into contact with both, too – as she has become a very vocal advocate for cancer research, and is now in recovery from pancreatic cancer – one of the toughest cancers to defeat.
She also organises one of West Cork’s most popular open water swims – the annual Union Hall swimming fundraiser for the RNLI. It has raised almost €100,00 for the RNLI over the past ten years.
Here she talks about her relationship with the sea, how it has helped in her recovery, and how organising the Union Hall swim helped keep her focused during some of the most challenging days of her cancer treatment.
This episode was produced and presented by Siobhán Cronin, with editing by Dylan Mangan.
***
Thanks for listening to The Southern Star's From A to Sea Podcast. Please be sure to like, share and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.
Listen to our previous episodes by clicking here.
For stories like this and more, pick up a copy of this week's Southern Star or subscribe online via www.southernstar.ie/epaper.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Next Episode
Nuala Moore on swimming in the world's most dangerous waters
NUALA Moore is a force to be reckoned with – and the sea knows that!
Nuala’s earliest memory is of jumping off her father’s fishing boat in Dingle and swimming back to shore. Since then, she’s swum in some of the coldest, remotest and most dangerous waters in the world, from the Bering Strait to the Drake Passage.
After years of marathon swimming, Nuala struggled to balance sacrifice and achievement. Her work–life balance, coupled with caring for her father, forced a change in her pathway. She turned to ice swimming.
Nuala believes that everyone is capable of greatness, whatever shape that might take.
Her incredible memoir talks about her initial dive into the world of marathons and triathlons and how she eventually came back to her one true love – the ocean.
Southern Star editor Siobhán Cronin travelled to Dingle to meet Nuala inside her beautiful little linen shop, where they talked about Nuala’s drive to constantly challenging herself, from scuba diving to swimming, and the world’s fascination with cold water.
This episode was produced and presented by Siobhán Cronin, with editing by Dylan Mangan.
***
Thanks for listening to The Southern Star's From A to Sea Podcast. Please be sure to like, share and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.
Listen to our previous episodes by clicking here.
For stories like this and more, pick up a copy of this week's Southern Star or subscribe online via www.southernstar.ie/epaper.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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