Everyone’s a winner!
It is January, grey cloud hangs over a crowd of people and a steel-lined pool. Air temperature is hovering around 4 degrees Celsius, the water the same. The stark 1930s concrete design of the pool area makes it feel even colder. Yet, despite this, I am warm – glowing even. I have massive smile on my face, watching the ever-popular Almost Synchro team in a mix of bright green swimsuits, with bright yellow and orange hats. They are performing to ‘Walking on Sunshine’ by Katrina and the Waves. It occurs to me how obscure this moment is but all who smile, whoop and clap in return are collectively with me. I am at PHiSH – the Parliament Hill Ice Swim Hootenanny. It is the tenth and final year of this special event.