Wednesday August 7th we biked down to Islands Brygge (pronounced “brewga”) one of the highly recommended swimming *baths* in Copenhagen. We had to time it just so it would be *at least* partly sunny. Although the girls are tough, I’m a wimp with cold water (66 F), esp. when it’s only 70F outside.
Growing up in South Carolina, 78F water was considered chilly. And although I’ve got a bit of Scandinavian blood (1/8th) and prefer Rochester winters to SC summers, I still need all the help and warmth I can get to jump in water that cold. And that’s how you have to do it – just jump. The whole “get in slowly so your body gets used to it” philosophy does NOT WORK HERE.
Also, according to Frank, an American I met on Monday, just jumping in is “the Danish Way.” And it totally works.
Unfortunately the high jump at Islands Brygge (3m – you can see the guy working on the platform at the top of that wooden structure) was closed while we were there. A disappointment to our youngest, who, based on the smiles in the picture below, had fun anyway. (the oldest forgot her swimsuit so she got to watch our stuff). Also, the oldest hates hates hates being in pictures so I can only get them when she’s not looking.
The thing I love most about this spot is the 75m lap swim area – no lanes (who needs those?) and for someone who loves open water swimming far more than swimming laps in a 25 yard pool, this facility is awesome. The whole platform is netted underneath all the way. To keep out big critters? debris? bikes that wind up in the canal? Your guess is as good as mine.
Totally worth the brief shock of 66F water. Drawbacks to this spot really is that to bike there from our apartment takes about 25 minutes – through the city center and tourist traffic.
