YINCHUAN－While most people were bundled up in thick layers of clothing to protect them from the cold weather, three Chinese men in their 70s prepared for a dip one recent afternoon in the frozen Beita Lake in Yinchuan, capital of the Ningxia Hui autonomous region.

When 75-year-old Guo Fu arrived at the lake, some of his fellow swimmers were breaking the ice to dig a water lane 10 meters long and 2 meters wide while others were clearing pieces of ice.

"When we swim in the frozen lake, we have to do this first every time before going into the water to prevent our skin from being scratched by the ice," Guo said.

Guo has been swimming for years, but he began winter swimming when he was 70.

"I saw some of my peers swimming in icy water, and they look good and cool. I also had a try, and I seldom catch a cold these days," he said. "It's amazing!"

Wang Baosheng, 72, is Guo's swimming partner.

"I keep swimming every day, even in the coldest days in the winter," Wang said, smiling. "Life would seem to be lacking something if I miss a winter swimming day."

According to Guo, the reason why people bear the biting cold to keep swimming in the winter is that it can benefit the body's microcirculation as well as general blood circulation, comparing it to doing vascular gymnastics. The duo swam a lap in the water lane before going ashore to take a simple and quick shower on the ice using a bucket of clean water brought from home.

Wang has been swimming in the winter for over 20 years and has been taking part in triathlon competitions for more than 10 years, thus earning him the nickname "Iron man". He once swam across China's two longest rivers－the Yangtze and the Yellow－and even took part in an international winter swimming competition in Vladivostok, Russia.

"Winter swimming is quite challenging. It feels like the cold water is biting your bones, but I love challenges," said Wang, adding that he also likes to cycle and run marathons in summer and autumn.

On the first day of the year, Wang went to Lanzhou, capital of Gansu province, to swim in the Yellow River to celebrate the new year.

"The water was much colder, but I successfully crossed the river after drifting about 700 meters several minutes later," Wang said. "I was more than excited to get my first medal of the year."

Together with Wang, 74-year-old Li Fazhong also went swimming in the rapid Yellow River and received the same medal as a New Year's present.

"Both of us felt greatly encouraged. Old age didn't prevent us from taking on challenges, though I have a poor memory now," Li said, adding that he has forgotten his water bucket on the ice several times.

With the wish to reduce the burden on his children, Li swims in the winter to stay healthy－and out of the hospital. For Wang, it's a way to boost his immune system and protect him from COVID-19.

"For people my age, all we can do during the nationwide campaign against the epidemic is to stay healthy and leave the limited medical resources to someone in need," Wang said.

Some think it's crazy for these older men to try such a dangerous activity, but they don't mind.

"Scientifically speaking, it's safe if you strictly control your duration in the water as the water temperature changes," Li said.

"People will never know how much fun we have derived from winter swimming unless they join us."

Xinhua