As a member of I. PKO Praha, I had the honour of leading a special children’s cold-adaptation project organised by the SCIO school in Prague 6. Five workshops were planned to introduce children to different ways of adapting to the cold, help them overcome their fear of it and, above all, build their overall resilience.
Three workshops focused on adapting to the cold on dry land. During these sessions, the children learned techniques to help them cope better with low temperatures. These included breathing techniques, exercises to improve circulation and a variety of games that were both fun and very effective. The children thoroughly enjoyed these activities, as their delight and enthusiasm during and after the sessions made clear. They eagerly told their classmates and friends about their experiences and warmly recommended taking part in future events.
Two workshops involved immersing themselves in cold water, a new challenge for many of the children. It was inspiring to see children aged six to nine bravely step into the cold water, and to see the pride and confidence they gained from overcoming their fear. Some enjoyed that sense of achievement so much that, a few minutes later, they returned to the water for another brief dip. The children experienced water at 14°C and at 6°C. Afterwards, we always talked together about how it had felt, how the two temperatures differed and how they could gradually work with those sensations.
The whole project was extremely successful and rewarding. The children not only acquired new knowledge and skills, but also overcame their fears and learned the importance of perseverance and courage. I am glad that our club could take part and contribute to the development of a new generation of cold-water swimmers.
