TALLINN — In a shocking twist of wellness culture, local resident Jaan, 42, has decided to swim in the icy Baltic Sea this winter, insisting it’s merely part of his expanded sauna routine. “The ocean is just nature’s sauna, just colder and a lot wetter!” Jaan declared, while sipping on a steaming cup of kohv.
The unusual activity, which has drawn the concerns of local authorities, is becoming a trend among the more extreme members of the Sauna Society. Members claim this practice is the new path to wellness, with a motto: “If you can’t handle the cold, stay indoors!”
Search for the Ultimate Chill
”I thought sauna was supposed to be hot, but what’s hotter than swimming in icy water?” said Jaan, as his friends suggested a warm leib sandwich might go well with the experience. “And who needs eucalyptus when you have waves?"
"We generally do not advise swimming in the sea during winter months unless you are actually being chased by an angry seal.”
— Merike, local lifeguard
Authorities are concerned, noting that many participants are still wearing a single swimsuit while shouting, “Tougher than any Finnish guy!” It is said that superheroes in Estonia are defined by their ability to endure the cold.
Meanwhile, local health experts warn that the practice could lead to unexpected outcomes, including an increase in frostbite and the potential for someone mistaking the chilly dip for an actual sauna session. “Sauna etiquette is very serious, you don’t mix up things!” cautioned Reet, a well-respected sauna master, shaking her head.
At press time, Jaan was last seen trying to convince tourists in the Old Town to join him for “sauna” on the beach.