Minna Leinonen has volunteered as the contact person for efforts to revive an ice swimming spot at the former Sippola Home shoreline on Lake Orijärvi. She hopes that ice swimming activities can resume at this location starting next autumn. The initiative comes as local residents express interest in restoring access to the site for cold-water swimming traditions.
On a winter day with the thermometer showing minus fifteen degrees Celsius, Minna Leinonen stood together with Svetlana Happo, Merja Lekander, Mia Salminen, and Pinja Arjas at the old Sippola Home beach along Lake Orijärvi. They noted that conditions were actually quite suitable for ice swimming, especially since the water temperature remained above freezing. Their presence highlighted ongoing community interest in maintaining outdoor winter wellness practices.
The group’s discussion reflects broader Finnish cultural engagement with nature-based health activities, including year-round swimming in natural bodies of water. While no official municipal or government decision has been announced yet, the volunteers’ involvement signals grassroots momentum behind reopening the site. Local coordination will likely determine whether the plan moves forward ahead of the next cold season.