First competitive ice swimming event held in Dorset
The Shaftesbury Lido Ice Championship Extravaganza (SLICE) took place at the Shaftesbury Lido over the weekend.
Competitors came from across Dorset and as far as Stoke-on-Trent and Derby.
The event was organised by Harriet Green, lido manager and Elizabeth Mills, both seasoned ice mile swimmers.
Ice swimming involves swimming in temperatures of 5 degrees Celsius or below, with the lido's pool temperature recorded at 5.4 degrees Celsius.
READ MORE: Bournemouth man to ride length of UK on a tall bike
Dorset's first ice swimming event draws 100 competitors to Shaftesbury Lido (Image: Supplied) The air temperature was four degrees, with a wind chill factor making it feel like -1 degrees.
Some participants were experiencing their first ice swimming event, while others were attempting their longest cold-water swims.
The event featured a variety of races, including a one-length bobble hat race, a fun relay with an inflatable cake, a 16-length endurance race and a 1km SLICE team relay.
Prizes for the winners were donated by Oly Rush, founder of Project Planet Earth and endurance swimmer.
SEE MORE: New Forest beach shelters undergo major renovation works
Swimmers brave 5.4°C water at Shaftesbury's first competitive ice swim (Image: Supplied) The SLICE Award was given to Liz Pudney from Newbury for her exceptional performance in multiple events.
The event raised almost £3,000 for Shaftesbury Lido's renovations and improvements.
The funds will be used to replace the pool liner and filtration system.
Harriet and Elizabeth are already planning next year's SLICE event and continue to encourage people to swim in cold water for its health and wellbeing benefits.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Hamilton Spectator
4 hours ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Jakob Marsee making a solid impression in 1st major league action with the Miami Marlins
Weather Alert Take action to protect yourself and others – extreme heat can affect everyone's health. Determine if you or others around you are at greater risk of heat illness. Check on older adults, those living alone and other at-risk people in-person or on the phone multiple times a day. Watch for the early signs of heat exhaustion in yourself and others. Signs may include headache, nausea, dizziness, thirst, dark urine and intense fatigue. Stop your activity and drink water. Heat stroke is a medical emergency! Call 9-1-1 or your emergency health provider if you, or someone around you, is showing signs of heat stroke which can include red and hot skin, dizziness, nausea, confusion and change in consciousness. While you wait for medical attention, try to cool the person by moving them to a cool place, removing extra clothing, applying cold water or ice packs around the body. Drink water often and before you feel thirsty to replace fluids. Close blinds, or shades and open windows if outside is cooler than inside. Turn on air conditioning, use a fan, or move to a cooler area of your living space. If your living space is hot, move to a cool public space such as a cooling centre, community centre, library or shaded park. Follow the advice of your region's public health authority. Plan and schedule outdoor activities during the coolest parts of the day. Limit direct exposure to the sun and heat. Wear lightweight, light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing and a wide-brimmed hat. Never leave people, especially children, or pets inside a parked vehicle. Check the vehicle before locking to make sure no one is left behind. Multi-day heat event continues. What: Daytime highs near 31 degrees Celsius, with humidex values up to 40. When: Coming to an end later today. Additional information: A cooler and less humid air mass will slowly move in from the northwest today, bringing the heat event to an end. Hot and humid air can also bring deteriorating air quality and can result in the Air Quality Health Index approaching the high risk category. ### Heat warnings are issued when very high temperature or humidity conditions are expected to pose an elevated risk of heat illnesses, such as heat stroke or heat exhaustion. For more information: Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, send an email to ONstorm@ or post reports on X using #ONStorm.


Hamilton Spectator
4 hours ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Resurgent Padres atop NL West ahead of 3-game series at rival Dodgers beginning Friday night
Weather Alert Take action to protect yourself and others – extreme heat can affect everyone's health. Determine if you or others around you are at greater risk of heat illness. Check on older adults, those living alone and other at-risk people in-person or on the phone multiple times a day. Watch for the early signs of heat exhaustion in yourself and others. Signs may include headache, nausea, dizziness, thirst, dark urine and intense fatigue. Stop your activity and drink water. Heat stroke is a medical emergency! Call 9-1-1 or your emergency health provider if you, or someone around you, is showing signs of heat stroke which can include red and hot skin, dizziness, nausea, confusion and change in consciousness. While you wait for medical attention, try to cool the person by moving them to a cool place, removing extra clothing, applying cold water or ice packs around the body. Drink water often and before you feel thirsty to replace fluids. Close blinds, or shades and open windows if outside is cooler than inside. Turn on air conditioning, use a fan, or move to a cooler area of your living space. If your living space is hot, move to a cool public space such as a cooling centre, community centre, library or shaded park. Follow the advice of your region's public health authority. Plan and schedule outdoor activities during the coolest parts of the day. Limit direct exposure to the sun and heat. Wear lightweight, light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing and a wide-brimmed hat. Never leave people, especially children, or pets inside a parked vehicle. Check the vehicle before locking to make sure no one is left behind. Multi-day heat event continues. What: Daytime highs near 31 degrees Celsius, with humidex values up to 40. When: Coming to an end later today. Additional information: A cooler and less humid air mass will slowly move in from the northwest today, bringing the heat event to an end. Hot and humid air can also bring deteriorating air quality and can result in the Air Quality Health Index approaching the high risk category. ### Heat warnings are issued when very high temperature or humidity conditions are expected to pose an elevated risk of heat illnesses, such as heat stroke or heat exhaustion. For more information: Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, send an email to ONstorm@ or post reports on X using #ONStorm.


Hamilton Spectator
4 hours ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Marte hits 9th inning go-ahead HRs in back-to-back Dbacks games, from each side of plate at Texas
Weather Alert Take action to protect yourself and others – extreme heat can affect everyone's health. Determine if you or others around you are at greater risk of heat illness. Check on older adults, those living alone and other at-risk people in-person or on the phone multiple times a day. Watch for the early signs of heat exhaustion in yourself and others. Signs may include headache, nausea, dizziness, thirst, dark urine and intense fatigue. Stop your activity and drink water. Heat stroke is a medical emergency! Call 9-1-1 or your emergency health provider if you, or someone around you, is showing signs of heat stroke which can include red and hot skin, dizziness, nausea, confusion and change in consciousness. While you wait for medical attention, try to cool the person by moving them to a cool place, removing extra clothing, applying cold water or ice packs around the body. Drink water often and before you feel thirsty to replace fluids. Close blinds, or shades and open windows if outside is cooler than inside. Turn on air conditioning, use a fan, or move to a cooler area of your living space. If your living space is hot, move to a cool public space such as a cooling centre, community centre, library or shaded park. Follow the advice of your region's public health authority. Plan and schedule outdoor activities during the coolest parts of the day. Limit direct exposure to the sun and heat. Wear lightweight, light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing and a wide-brimmed hat. Never leave people, especially children, or pets inside a parked vehicle. Check the vehicle before locking to make sure no one is left behind. Multi-day heat event continues. What: Daytime highs near 31 degrees Celsius, with humidex values up to 40. When: Coming to an end later today. Additional information: A cooler and less humid air mass will slowly move in from the northwest today, bringing the heat event to an end. Hot and humid air can also bring deteriorating air quality and can result in the Air Quality Health Index approaching the high risk category. ### Heat warnings are issued when very high temperature or humidity conditions are expected to pose an elevated risk of heat illnesses, such as heat stroke or heat exhaustion. For more information: Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, send an email to ONstorm@ or post reports on X using #ONStorm.