European Aquatics strengthens its relationship with the International Ice Swimming Association (IISA) and sets up 5-year development plan

European Aquatics has consolidated a partnership with the International Ice Swimming Association (IISA) by signing a Letter of Intent for the next five years, with a plan to closely co-operate on the development of the vision, strategy, and management of ice swimming as a new and exciting aquatics discipline.

Ice Swimming is swimming in water with a temperature of 5.0 °C / 41.0 °F or lower, unassisted, with one silicon cap, a pair of goggles, and a standard swimming costume.

Through this Letter of Intent, European Aquatics is proud to adopt a leadership role in introducing Ice Swimming as a “new sport” to the European Swimming community, while also serving as a bridge for similar cooperation with World Aquatics. 

President Antonio Silva said: “I would like to pay tribute to the work of IISA President Ram Barkai and my Bureau colleague Erik van Heijningen for their strong efforts to create a long-term, practical plan that will connect global and European Ice Swimming national representatives with EA member federations to share knowledge, resources, and events. Ice swimming is developing rapidly as a popular swimming discipline and although IISA was only established in 2009 it has developed ice swimming very professionally with appropriate rules, medical and safety regulations, as proven by medical experts, and well-organised events.”

European Aquatics will recognise Ice Swimming under IISA rules as a new Aquatic sport/discipline and IISA as the sole governing body of Ice Swimming worldwide. IISA has established safety and swimming rules, and worldwide swim records and has members in 105 countries and Ice Swimmers of 1000m in 48 countries.

Erik van Heijningen said: “I have witnessed how well organised and popular IISA events are with swimmers. We believe there is great potential for ice swimming and will encourage our National Federations to support IISA Federations in their countries to develop ice swimming as a new sport which has great appeal for fans of extreme sports. Ice swimming can be linked to health benefits from swimming in cold water and is being practised by both amateur and elite athletes.”

Ram Barkai, IISA Founder and President, added, “Ice Swimming and cold water have become my passion many years ago, and now it is a global phenomenon. We have learnt so much about the human ability to excel in such waters. We are excited to share the knowledge, energy, and camaraderie created in Ice Swimming with the world. I am deeply grateful to Erik van Heijningen for his relentless support in our passion. I would like to thank EA President Antonio Silva for his leadership, and we are excited to work with EA in the future. Finally, I would like to pay warm respect to all the Ice Swimmers out there who helped IISA to get to today, thank you; it is the tip of the iceberg!” 

European Aquatics and IISA will establish a steering committee, comprising the two presidents and up to two additional board members from each organisation. The presidents of IISA and EA will co-chair the steering committee. The Steering Group will focus on vision and development, international relations, organisational structures, events, and fostering connections with the respective Boards.

A joint technical committee comprising at least two members from each organisation will focus on activities, expertise, regulations, and education. The EA/WA Technical Committee will gradually become the reference Technical Committee overseeing ice swimming.

• European Aquatics will support IISA Events with timing systems and referee accreditation for ice swimming events.
• European Aquatics will include IISA International Events in the official event calendar.
• Offer Courses to Local Safety and Medical Officers and participate in the IISA Medical Forum.
• Support galas and meets in ice swimming.
• Assist with the organisation of the annual National Championship and World Championship qualifiers.
• Review outdoor swimming pools and encourage national federations to host ice swimming events in appropriate outdoor venues.
• Encourage national federations to invest in permanent outdoor ice swimming venues and infrastructure.
• EA will recognise all IISA overall World Records in the future and will incorporate IISA top-level events in its Event Calendar.

For more info on IISA, please contact:

internationaliceswimming@gmail.com

Tel +27-826568909

Ram Barkai

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