Pyhäselkä Ice-Swimming Club
Is located on the shores of Lake Pyhäselkä, about 10 km to the south of Joensuu. The club has its own sauna and dressing rooms. It should be noted that there are no washing facilities, showers, or running water.
Membership stands at around 400 (since Dec 2023) and is temporarily capped, with new applications currently placed on a waiting list. The daily number of swimmers ranges between 20 and 50 during the winter season.
Annual membership: 100+45 euros for the first year, 100 euros/year thereafter.
Student membership 50+25 euros for the first year, 50 euros/year thereafter.
Kids membership 25 euros/year. Kids means children/young people aged 7-17. Children under 7 go for free when accompanied by their guardian. The new swimming season starts in November and continues until the end of October.
Visitor Fee: 8 euros/session (no time restrictions, only opening hours).
Equipment required: swimsuit, towel, sandals and bench cloth (last one is sold at club for 50 cents). Also you may need drinking water, juice or similar. NOTE: alcohol strictly prohibited for safety reasons.
The club is open all year round daily except Mondays, but the in-season period is approximately November to April, when there is ice covering the lake, and snow to roll in. NOTE: club door is open within the opening hours only if there are members present.
While beneficial to those in good health ice-swimming is not recommended for those with heart problems. If in doubt consult your doctor, preferably beforehand! The club is visited annually by exchange students from N-Karelia Polytechnic. In year 2006 the group was some 35 participants, with students from as far away as Namibia, Australia, Portugal, Bulgaria, Ireland etc etc – and after early doubts they had a wonderful time, with no fatalities!
Check club location at Haapaniementie 51a, 80330 Joensuu.
See the location or driving directions also on Google Maps.
Updated in October 2024