Every year, Maren Lotte returns to the Skagen Winter Swimming Festival, where she happily takes her friend by the arm and leaps into the icy waves.
For her, winter swimming is a special way to find peace and balance. In the midst of the cold, and together with several hundred other enthusiastic swimmers, she finds an energy she wouldn't want to go without. The festival has now become a firm tradition she looks forward to year after year.
””I’ve never been much of a water baby," she says with a laugh. ”It was my husband who used to jump into the water with the children when they were small. But one day after training, I felt like trying it myself – and that experience changed everything. I immediately called my friend and asked: Will you come along next time?”Four months and many dips later, they stood together on the beach in Skagen, ready for their first winter swimming festival.
More than cold shivers – community and festive atmosphere
For Maren Lotte, the experience in Skagen is much more than a quick dip. It's the whole atmosphere that makes it special: the saunas, the laughter, and the informal community.
”There's a very special atmosphere. You meet good people, there's room for humour, and it feels almost like family because you see the same faces year after year.,” she says.
She smilingly shares anecdotes about North Jutland Vikings, Norwegian guests in matching swimsuits, and her own swimming club, ”Bade Bunnies,” known for fun accessories like bunny ears and bath sponges. For her, it's a sanctuary where you sit shoulder-to-shoulder in the sauna – a contrast to everyday life, where you normally keep your distance.
From ice baths to waves in Skagen
In her daily life, Maren Lotte bathes in both streams and lakes, and she has tried everything from chopping a hole in the ice to swimming in still water. Nevertheless, Skagen is something special: the ocean waves provide an extra challenge and a unique experience.
She admits that the cold can be tough: ”The worst moment is when your stomach hits the water,” she says with a laugh. But afterwards comes the feeling of being reset – the body is full of energy, and the mind is calm.
Not a competition – but a personal experience
Although many find wild swimming daunting, Maren Lotte emphasises that it's not about performance.
”Some stay in the water for several minutes, others take a quick dip up and down. The most important thing is to do it your own way and listen to your body. It's not a sport, but an experience,”she says.".
Home to Skagen – and home in itself
Maren Lotte lives and works in Southern Jutland day-to-day, but the festival brings her back to her hometown of Skagen every year. Here, she stays overnight with her friend in her childhood home, which makes the experience even more special.
”I look forward to it all year. It brings laughter, energy and warmth. I actually can't imagine winter without the Skagen Winter Swimming Festival – or without a daily dip in the water. If I skip it, I miss it, especially in the morning. It gives me a fantastic start to the day..”
Advice for new winter swimmers
For those who dream of trying, but hold back, Maren Lotte has a simple tip:
”You just have to take the plunge. I usually take people under my wing, and then they get to feel it for themselves. It can't be explained – it has to be experienced.”
However, she stresses that safety always comes first. She never swims alone, and if she and her friend can't make it work with their schedules, they'd rather skip a day.
