Harbin Polar Swim

I have no idea what the locals call this event, but you've heard of this type of event before. Usually it's intoxicated, or otherwise judgement impaired, college kids that participate in this activity. But in China, it's a opportunity to charge tourists admission to an event. So daily these people parade out and take the plunge. I believe there are 70 people that participate. I'm pretty sure the driver we had for the weekend told me how many, but my Chinese, she's no so good, so I'm not sure how many there were.

Speaking of our driver, he spoke NO English. I know a FEW words in Chinese, so when we needed to ask or tell him something, I'd try a combination of the Chinese I knew and sign language. That would be countered by a couple paragraphs of conversation from him. I have NO idea what he was trying to tell me. But bless his heart for trying. The entire weekend he kept talking to me - in Chinese.

But back to the swimmers. They all wear shoes of some sort, and many have on rubber gloves. The hand rails to get out of the pool are wrapped. (Wouldn't want to stick to that metal like the old tongue on the frozen pole trick getting out of the pool!) And yes, most of the men here wear Speedo's. You'll notice age and physical prowess have absolutely nothing to do with being a participant in this event. Some dive with style, but many have no style at all to their pool entry and do more of a modified belly flop. I can't IMAGINE how that feels into ice water! Yikes! And this is not crazy college kids. This is adults of all ages, and many of them are pretty old. Apparently China doesn't have a very good pension plan for retirees and it's come to this. I have no idea how much these people get paid for this event, but I'm positive it's not enough.