There are several Polar Bear and Penguin challenge levels so you can choose the level to suit you.
If you're not sure if you're a Polar Bear or Penguin there's more info HERE
Please read the 'How it works ' info HERE
You may enter both Polar Bear Challenge and Penguin Challenge as two separate challenges if you feel you can achieve a higher level at one or would like to progress gradually towards Polar Bear. E.G Penguin Gold and then Polar Bear Classic if you take off your wetsuit and dip at the end of each swim.
Age Limits to enter
* CLASSIC - Open to all.
*SILVER, GOLD, (ANT)ARCTIC - OVER 16 as at December 31st of the current season.
JEDI / NINJA / APPRENTICE - OVER 18 as at December 31st of the current season
DO NOT enter Jedi, Ninja or Apprentice unless you are confident you can achieve the specified swim requirements as these levels are very onerous both physically and logistically. It can be difficult to find cold enough water in the UK to complete some of the specified swims so travel at your own expense may be required.
All dips and swims must be swum outdoors in an unheated body of water.
| POLAR BEAR | PENGUIN | |
| CLASSIC | Dip up to your shoulders twice a month - no distance required | CLASSIC |
| SILVER | Swim twice a month - each swim to be a minimum of 250 metres | SILVER |
| GOLD | Swim twice a month - each swim to be a minimum of 250 metres
AND Swim a total of at least 1000 metres per month ( this includes the 2 x 250 metre swims ) |
GOLD |
| ARCTIC | Swim twice a month - each swim to be a minimum of 250 metres
AND Swim a total of at least 3000 metres per month ( this includes the 2 x 250 metre swims ) |
ANTARCTIC |
| JEDI APPRENTICE | Swim twice a month - each swim to be a minimum of 250 metres
AND Swim a total of at least 3000 metres per month ( this includes the 2 x 250 metre swims ) AND Achieve a minimum of 10 points from the range of specified swims |
NINJA APPRENTICE |
| JEDI | Swim twice a month - each swim to be a minimum of 250 metres
AND Swim a total of at least 3000 metres per month ( this includes the 2 x 250 metre swims ) AND Achieve all 20 points by swimming the entire range of specified swims
|
NINJA |
The Jedi and Ninja levels are VERY onerous both physically and logistically and only recommended for experienced winter swimmers.
These levels require you to swim a number of specified swims in water below 7 degrees and as the UK sea temperature rarely falls below 7 degrees so to achieve these levels you will need to travel or find a fresh water swimming area which drops to the required temperature. You will also need to provide proof of the water temperature by sending in evidence of TWO separate thermometers showing the temperature,
JEDI POLAR BEAR APPRENTICE / NINJA PENGUIN APPRENTICE - Click HERE for more info on Jedi & Ninja & Apprentice levels
IMPORTANT NOTE FOR JEDI BEARS AND NINJA PENGUINS.
This is an extreme challenge which should only be attempted by experienced cold water swimmers and a medical check up is advised.
UK temperatures may not get low enough to complete the challenge in the UK so some travel at your own expense may be necessary.
Several of the Jedi swims are individual qualifying swims for an Ice Mile attempt under IISA rules. Please refer to the IISA website for more information on Ice Miles https://www.internationaliceswimming.com/
