Ex-Olympic swimmer Dan Wallace is coming to Cheltenham Lido
Sandford Lido is hosting the International Ice Swimming Championship this weekend.
Last updated 7th Jan 2024
Swimmers from across the globe will be competing at Sandford Lido in a range of events.
The most exciting event is expected to be the 1000m freestyle as ex-Olympic swimmer Dan Wallace will be taking to the water.
It will also be an opportunity for Team GB to meet in race conditions ahead of other major competitions they will be taking part in this year.
The event is being organised by the International Ice Swimming Association who are hoping for the sport to become an official event in the Winter Olympic games.
Ice swimming and open water swimming has seen a huge increase in popularity in recent years.
Event organiser, Kate Steel, said: "People do it for the challenge, the comradery, and for the benefits to their health.
"It's about being outside no matter what time of year and experiencing the special feeling of being in the open water
"We've got Dan Wallace swimming in his first ice swimming event and we've got many other fast swimmers, so it's going to be a really fun event to watch."
Ice swimming must be held in water at 5 degrees Celsius and competitors must swim unassisted.