I first heard about the Memphremagog winter swim festival about a year ago from other folks in my swim group who participated. It sounded so fun, I knew I wanted to do it. The festival happened this weekend, and it was awesome!
After barely any snow this winter, of course it decided to snow on the day that we were supposed to drive up. I decided to go a day early so I could beat the snow - I stayed at a first airbnb, one where the hostess was there. I don't love that - but it was the least expensive place, was close to the festival location and looked cozy. The woman there was really nice and she made me a delicious breakfast :) The snow wasn't that bad in northern VT, but I heard the drive up was awful, so I was glad I went up early.
The second airbnb was available early, which was so nice - I was able to check in and do some work and then get situated. And then I went and looked at the swim hole. I'm not going to lie, when I first saw it I was scared. First, I'm not really comfortable walking on a frozen lake (though I did become comfortable with it). Second, it looked really cold! And third, there were going to be people watching me swim.
The swim races turned out to be so fun! I was so nervous before the first swim and unfortunately I had to wait for over an hour for my turn. Finally it was my turn - my escort took me out, and my stripper helped me with my robe and then it was time to get in. I really didn't want to, but that was what I was there for, so I went for it. The swim was much easier than all the practice swimming had been - we were only in the water for like 30 seconds, and then we were out and to the warming hut. I didn't even come in last! After that I had the whole day to watch the folks swimming the 200. They were so impressive! I want to do it next year (which will require a lot of work on my swimming technique). After, we went to the airbnb - which 8 of us were staying in, and ordered Thai food, which was delicious.
The second day was the hat race - I wore a silly mermaid tail hat. I was in the seventh group to swim. On that day, the temperature outside was in the negative numbers with wind chill (though there wasn't that much wind) and the hairs in my nose froze. It was cold! But, once I got in the water there was enough adrenalin to help me enjoy the swim. There was lots of cheering, which made me feel so good!
The third and final day we had a 4 person relay and my team came in third! We won a bag of beef jerky (not the best prize, since I don't eat meat, but whatever, I was excited). We had a ringer on our team who could swim fast. And then I lost the lead that she got when I swallowed some water.
All in all, a good time! I've already signed up for next year :)
