Christmas Dive with the 'Pirrlliepausen' in Lake Senftenberg, Unshakeable Tradition Despite Warm Weather
Under the chilly embrace of four-degree waters, a delightful bunch of 25 men and women from 'Pirrlliepausen' winter swimming club took a plunge in Lake Senftenberg on Christmas Eve, adorned in festive red caps. While they frolicked in the icy pool for some minutes, 2020 and 2021's pandemic-forced absences sadly marked an exception in their 36-year-long tradition.
Last year, the participants braved a much chillier water temperature of two degrees. Peter Lehmann, the club's spokesman, shared his preference for the extreme temperatures of ten degrees below zero in the air and one degree above in the water. He reminisced about the adventure of hacking away at the ice-covered lake under the sunny cerulean sky.
The Pirrlliepausen's annual Christmas swim is an admirable part of their tradition, albeit not for the faint-hearted. However, the group's winter activities aren't restricted to just Christmas Eve. They brave the cold waters twice a week from October to the end of April. In the heart of winter, they even take a swim in their matching costumes for the Carnival celebration in February. Come summer, their adventures take a well-deserved break.
Pirrlliepausen
Though the frosty waters challenged their resilience, the determined divers relished the tradition's continuation. Frostbite or fun, their spirit remained undeterred as the 'Pirrlliepausen' community carried on their unyielding Christmas swimming tradition, Lake Senftenberg's backdrop never wavering.
Additional Insights
'Pirrlliepausen' is a quirky German expression for icicles. Keeping this in mind, their dedication to the art of winter swimming, despite the unusually mild weather, is admirable. Braving sub-zero temperatures and diving into icy waters is not for the average beachgoer. Nevertheless, this fearless group of swimmers carries on with their tradition every year, eager to test their nerve against the harsh winter.
Source:
Note: The Enrichment Data was used to add context and clarify the "Pirrlliepausen" term in the Christmas Eve swimming tradition. The information provided served as a supplement to the base article without dominating its content.
