For Kyiv's Walrus Club, swimming in the chilly waters of the Dnipro is more than just a sport – it's a way of life
Some scream, others laugh, many bite their lips. Some plunge into the icy Dnipro water with a confident
splash. Others dilly-dally a bit, tip-toe to the water’s edge and slowly submerge their bodies into the frigid water up to their necks. A few wade in casually, as if this were a summer day at the beach.
But this is no lazy afternoon swim. This is the Walrus Club doing what they have become famous for worldwide: winter swimming.
When it comes to getting into the murky cold waters of the Dnipro, each of these Kyiv Walruses has a unique style of entry. But it is what they have in common that has drawn the 400 or so Walruses to Neptune Beach in Hydropark week after week, year after year.
They do it, they say, for their health.
The icy water helps them look and feel young. Most say they can’t remember the last time they had a bad cold.
“I had the flu last winter,” said Ihor Duhnovsky, a Walrus member since 1966. “But it only lasted for a couple of hours. I think someone sneezed in my direction in the metro station.”
To fight his flu, Duhnovsky went to the river and took a swim. He claims that he recovered the moment he came out of the water.
“When the body is plunged into cold water, the body gives an order to warm itself by circulating the blood faster, which eventually reaches all parts of the body and this makes the body work better and fight infection or other alien elements in the body.”
That is how the Walruses explain the secret to their health.
In fact, it was this desire for health and fitness that compelled Viktor Yakovlev, 76, to start the Kyiv chapter 41 years ago.
As a young man in his mid-30s, Yakovlev was diagnosed with neurasthenia – a mental disorder that causes fatigue, irritability and localized pain, he said.
“One day I met up with an old friend who belonged to a Walrus Club and he advised me to swim with them.”
After his first couple of dips in the chilly water, he said he was on his way to recovery. Yakovlev soon became sold on the system and spread the word to everyone he knew. Yakovlev recruited several dozen people, many of whom are still members today.
Strengthening the immune system, fighting illness and overcoming depression draws many of the Walruses to the river each week. Others are seeking something a bit more spiritual.
“I came to the club because I needed something more in my everyday life,” said one Walrus Club member. “Playing sports and communicating with these highly cultured people has made me a stronger and more energetic person.”
Some people join the club because they cannot imagine their lives without exercise. “I am a former basketball player,” Walrus club member Tamara Mironycheva said. “I stopped playing basketball several years ago, but always felt that I needed to play sports.”
Now she swims in cold water to keep fit. But it’s not the only reason why she comes to the Dnipro once a week.
“Here I can communicate with people who are like me,” she said.
She is not the only one drawn by the social benefits.
For some, the swimming – and the camaraderie – offers a catharsis for their troubles.
“After the USSR broke up, those were some difficult times. There was a complete lack of understanding about
| Running is also part of the club’s health regimen |
where our country was going,” Yakovlev said. “I would tell people to come to the river more often. It was here where we discussed what was going on, and through swimming we were able to let go of those bad emotions we had.”
Perestroika also brought sudden changes to the carefree club. Eventually Hydropark administrators started charging a fee for use of the beach and the showers. Some could no longer afford their favorite activity.
Yakovlev talked to the manager of Hydropark to work something out. “I told them that we represented a unique entity that helps the disabled and sick.”
The group eventually registered as an organization in order to avoid paying admission fees.
Yakovlev encourages people to come whenever they like because he says that socializing is important to living healthy.
Newcomers get advice on how to acclimate to the cold because it can be risky to swim in cold water.
Of course, those not accustomed to cold water swimming are at risk for hypothermia, a condition when the body temperature falls by more than 4 degrees C.
But most veterans are well versed on the health risks of winter swimming, and hypothermia is not a concern for them. Each individual Walrus knows how long he can stand the cold water.
But apart from hypothermia there are other hazards involved. Just ask Duhnovsky, who swims a couple of kilometers a day.
Duhnovsky recalls once swimming near the Dnipro bank when he almost got snagged by a fishing line, which was being cast only a couple of meters away.
“When I told the fishermen to be more careful, they said they never expected to see anyone swimming in February. After that I started to wear a bright red swimmers’ cap.”
Training for the Walruses starts with a 6 km to 10 km pre-swim jog, followed by a quick dip in the river. After that, most people dry off and relax. However, the more gung-ho members prefer to dry themselves with a quick post-swim jog.
The members are a diverse bunch, but the majority are between 40-45. Many are doctors, some are children.
There is a sort of difference between all of us,” said club member Duhnovsky, a former professional swimmer. “The ones who do not swim but only dive into the cold water are walruses, and the others who swim long distances are white bears.”
Men usually swim near the beach located to the right of the Neptune Club, while women – who tend to swim in the nude – jog to the other side of the island for their dips.
Their screams often attract curious passersby who watch the Walruses in awe. There is usually some joker who will ask them, “Is the water warm enough for you?”
Members take it in stride and advise onlookers to give it a try.
The Walrus Club welcomes anyone who is interested in joining. Membership fees are Hr 1 per month. The dues go to various club events, such as swimming competitions. Yakovlev encourages people to join even if they are unable to pay club dues.
The Walrus Club gathers every Sunday at 2 p.m. at Hydro Park.
Once you exit the Hydro Park metro station, go right and follow the path toward the main bridge. Stay on the path until you see the sign “Club Neptune” before you get to the bridge. Next to the sign is a blue booth that is the beach entrance for disabled persons.
