Municipality in Finland unveils unique winter swimming pool on Iijoki River

A municipality in Finland has introduced a unique outdoor swimming pool on the Iijoki River, setting it apart as one of the few year-round winter swimming facilities in the country. Featuring four 25-meter lanes, the opening coincided with a fresh blanket of beautiful white snow.

Mariia Yrjö-Koskinen, president of the International Winter Sports Federation, expressed her excitement about this season’s launch, noting that the nearest comparable winter swimming location is at Kuusijärvi in Vantaa. While there is also a good winter swimming facility in Tampere, only Vantaa offers a similar 25-meter lane open all year.

According to Yrjö-Koskinen, the short distance from Oulu means local winter swimmers will also be practicing in Iii. She praised the municipality for its ability to create such a facility, highlighting its potential to elevate the profile of winter swimming as a sport.

The concept originated during a summer visit to the beach, where Janne Puolitaival, the municipality’s welfare director, conceived the idea for the swimming pool. The project gained traction when the community leader joined in the planning. The total investment for the four-lane facility was around 120,000 euros.

Marjukka Manninen, the mayor of Iii, remarked on the quality and importance of the investment, expressing support for the initiative. Furthermore, according to Yrjö-Koskinen, winter swimming competitions are now held across all continents, demonstrating the sport’s growing international appeal, highlighted by its roots in the 2006 Winter Swimming World Championships established in Oulu.