“Weathering the Waves: Ashfield Lake Swimmers Dive into Year-Round Perseverance”

ASHFIELD — You might not consider a gloomy, breezy day with a light drizzle and a peak temperature of 44 degrees as an ideal occasion for swimming, but for the swimmers at Ashfield Lake, a bit of chill never deterred them regardless.

Mary Link, a resident of Ashfield, noted that she has been swimming in the lake her entire life and has made a point to swim at least once every month since childhood. Throughout milder winters, she would swim across the lake from the boat launch to the Ashfield Lake House, and during chillier winters, she and her companions would simply create a hole in the ice for a quick dip.

“We just kept swimming,” Link remarked. “We continued to swim through autumn and didn’t stop until it became frozen over, then we used a crowbar to break open a hole just to dip in.”

Last winter, Link along with a group of friends opted to enhance their experience by establishing a frozen swim lane. Link procured an 8-foot ice saw that she utilizes to carve out a 6-foot-by-40-foot swim lane, which is roughly half the length of a conventional pool lap lane. After shaping the perimeter, Link and the other swimmers utilize crow bars to shatter the ice and push the chunks further down beneath the lake’s surface to create a swimming area.

Swimmer Ricki Carroll mentioned that every few days the surface freezes again, and the group must break it open once more, but the swim makes the work worthwhile.

According to the Mayo Clinic, research has indicated that occasional polar plunges provide several health advantages. Immersing oneself in water below 50 degrees can alleviate inflammation, enhance metabolism and immune response, as well as stimulate hormone release that boosts cognitive function and mood.

The winter swimmers at Ashfield Lake assert that while the health benefits are significant, their primary motivation for jumping into the water is enjoyment.

“We just did it for the enjoyment,” Carroll said.

Link emphasized that the activity of swimming in icy conditions has proven to be an effective therapeutic exercise, reminding participants to focus on their breathing and affirming that if they can manage a frigid swim, they can handle anything.

“It’s incredibly refreshing,” Link stated. “When you dive in, your body instinctively reacts, ‘Holy s***, I need to get out’, but if you focus on your breathing and get past the initial shock while reminding yourself that it’s alright, you will be fine.”

On certain occasions, they swim in merely their swimsuits for a brief dip; on other days, they wear full wetsuits that allow them to remain in the water for extended periods. When donning a swimsuit, Carroll advised that it is safest to stay in the water for around five minutes, then dry off and warm up to avoid hypothermia.

On New Year’s Day, a small group of swimmers convened for an afternoon swim in the lake. The air temperature hovered around 41 degrees, but the water was significantly colder, approximately 32 degrees. Coupled with wind and rain, it felt even chillier.

“We all just supported one another,” Link mentioned.

Anyone interested in experiencing the water is invited to participate. The group is typically present on most days when the weather permits, and occasionally even when it doesn’t, Carroll mentioned.

Carroll also advised that swimmers should always carry a crowbar to break up any ice, as well as a companion to encourage them and ensure their safety while swimming.

Reach Madison Schofield at 413-930-4579 or mschofield@recorder.com.