Taking the plunge for charity
FIRST there was the ice bucket challenge but now a group of friends and colleagues from Dundalk have taken the challenge a step further when they submerged themselves in an ice bath for 30 seconds at Blackrock beach last Friday.
The group embarked on the challenge to raise funds for the 3Ts suicide prevention charity.
They were coached in breathing techniques beforehand by colleague John McKeown. The Collon resident is a certified Wim Hof instructor, which sees him teaching people various breathing exercises in preparation to taking an ice bath.
John explains: ‘It has been theorized that brief changes in body temperature like a cold swim or warm bathing could help brain function. People with the habit of swimming in cold water and taking cold showers coincidentally reported improved mood, less stress, more energy and pain relief from rheumatism.’
This is what prompted him to train to become a Wim Hof instructor and over the last number of weeks he trained the group in the breathing practice and also gave them a 20 day cold shower daily challenge in preparation for the ice bath challenge.
The group attracted quite a bit of attention from passers by as they took submerged themselves in an ice bath for 30 seconds on Blackrock beach last Friday at lunchtime.
John and all participating have been raising money for 3Ts, Turn the Tide of Suicide charity over the past month.