A courageous couple from Wales has braved the freezing waters of Finland to complete six ice swimming races without swimsuits, all in aid of charity. Alistair Bell and Beth Robart travelled to Oulu, Finland, last month to take on the challenge at the bi-annual Winter Swimming World Championship 2026, held from March 2 to 8.
Despite the icy conditions, with water temperatures as low as -0.5°C and air temperatures plunging to -13°C, the duo successfully completed the competition to raise funds for the Wales Air Ambulance. Alistair, from Tenby, is no stranger to icy waters, having competed in Arctic and European events over the past nine years. However, for Beth, from Swansea, this was a completely new experience.
Thrown in at the Deep End
Alistair shared his enthusiasm for introducing Beth to the sport. "I was really keen to introduce Beth to the experience. As it had been a couple of years since my last event, it was a fresh challenge for me. This was the first time Beth had ever swum competitively; she doesn't come from a swimming background, so she really was thrown in at the deep end," he said.
The couple's motivation was driven by their desire to support the Wales Air Ambulance. "Taking part with the aim of raising funds for the Air Ambulance was a huge motivator for us both," Alistair added. While his family was unsurprised by his daring endeavor, Beth's family and friends were initially shocked. "Knowing her keen sense of adventure, they quickly got behind her, especially when she began sharing photos and videos of her training in freezing conditions. It has certainly been a frequent talking point at her office," he noted.
Training and Triumph
Prior to the competition, Alistair and Beth trained in Scotland and the Lake District, swimming in small lakes amidst snowy mountains. Some training sessions were extremely tough, causing them to question their ability to cope during the competition. However, they persevered and completed the challenge, raising an impressive £2,175 for the life-saving charity.
Reflecting on the experience, Alistair said: "In Oulu, Finland, on the coldest day, the water temperature was -0.5°C and the air temperature was -13°C. We completed six swims without wetsuits in those conditions. It was a brutal, but an amazing experience and we supported each other through it."
Why the Wales Air Ambulance?
Both Alistair and Beth work within the trauma sector, and they recognized that many of their clients may have been saved by the Wales Air Ambulance. This inspired them to support the charity. The Wales Air Ambulance is a consultant-led service that delivers hospital-standard treatments to patients at the scene and, if necessary, transfers them directly to the most appropriate hospital. The charity relies on public donations to raise the £13 million required annually to keep its helicopters and rapid response vehicles operational.
The Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service (EMRTS) supplies highly skilled NHS consultants and critical care practitioners who work on board the charity's vehicles. This advanced care includes administering anaesthesia, performing blood transfusions, and conducting minor operations at the scene.
Charity's Gratitude
Mike May, Wales Air Ambulance regional fundraising manager, expressed his gratitude: "Congratulations to Alistair and Beth who took on this huge challenge, which most people would shy away from. It is incredible and shows how determined they were to complete this incredible challenge. We were grateful to hear that through their experience of working within the trauma sector they both wanted to raise funds for our charity. Alistair and Beth should be extremely proud of themselves for taking on this freezing competition and completing it. They have both raised an amazing amount for the Wales Air Ambulance, which we really appreciate. Fundraisers like this are so important to our service and ensure that we can continue to come to the aid of patients wherever, and whenever they need us. By swimming six races in icy waters without a swimsuit, you've both played a part in saving lives across Wales. Well done Alistair and Beth."
There is still time to support Alistair and Beth by donating to their fundraising page at www.justgiving.com/page/alistair-bell-6.
