Looking for adventure, tourists swim on the edge of the Arctic Circle

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Category: Lifestyle/Entertainment

Listening

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. northernmost / ˈnɔr ðərnˌmoʊst / (adj.) – farthest toward the north of an area
    Example:

    The northernmost part of the country experiences extreme cold during winter.


  2. polar / ˈpoʊ lər / (adj.) – relating to the North or South Pole or the areas around them
    Example:

    She wore a thick coat, gloves, and a hat to protect herself from the polar cold.


  3. on board / ɒn bɔrd / (adv.) – on a boat, train, or aircraft
    Example:

    We have a special play area on board the cruise ship for children to enjoy.


  4. icebreaker / ˈaɪsˌbreɪ kər / (n.) – a strong ship that can break through the ice, creating a passage
    Example:

    The icebreaker made its way through the thick Arctic ice, clearing a path for other vessels.


  5. repurpose / ˌriˈpɜr pəs / (v.) – to change something to be used for a different purpose
    Example:

    The empty wine bottles were repurposed as flower vases.


Article

Read the text below.

Cold showers are meant to be good for your health, but some people are taking it a step further: swimming in the frozen waters near the Arctic Circle. That experience, along with walking on the ice, is part of a mini cruise growing in popularity among tourists looking for something fun.


Between Sweden and Finland lies the Baltic Sea. In its northernmost part, it’s mostly frozen from the end of November until the end of April.


To get a taste of a polar expedition, tourists can book a day cruise on board an icebreaker boat. It departs from the Swedish side of the border with Finland.


Named Polar Explorer, the boat is co-driven by captain Frank Hammerø, who used to work in the Coast Guard and then the oil industry. Originally built as an industrial icebreaker, the boat has been repurposed for the tourism industry. Crew cabins were ripped out to create more seating for guests. And the captain is now spearheading mini expeditions with a lot more people on board.


During the few hours of the cruise, people can brave the cold temperatures to admire the views from the main deck. And if it’s not too cold, guests are invited to get in the water.


“Normally, everyone swims. Even people who are not considering it in the beginning. They think, ‘No, that’s not for me. It’s too scary, too dangerous, too cold.’ When they understand that it’s not scary at all and you don’t have to have swimming skills, you cannot drown in these suits, and they are very warm, we’re dressing them over the normal clothes, it’s not the bikini,” says Olga Robacha, the managing director of Polar Explorer Icebreaker.


Finland’s province of Lapland is expecting a record tourism season, with more visitors willing to spend more money to make their trip unforgettable.


The three-hour Polar Explorer cruise is priced at 285 Euros ($313) without lunch nor shuttle service to and from the closest main cities.


The company expects to see between 15,000 and 18,000 people on board the Polar Explorer this winter season.


This article was provided by The Associated Press.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

  • What do you think about the increasing popularity of tourism experiences that involve extreme activities like swimming in frozen waters near the Arctic Circle (ex. I’m hesitant, it’s thrilling)? Are you open to trying out unusual activities like this one? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • How do you think people’s interest in exciting and unique travel experiences has changed over time? Personally, have your preferences for travel experiences changed? What makes you say so? Discuss.

Discussion B

  • How do you decide if a vacation experience is worth the money (ex. I consider its impact on my well-being, I consider the value I get from the vacation)? What types of activities do you personally find so appealing that you would be willing to invest more money in them (ex. trying out foreign cuisines, going to concerts)? Why? Discuss.
  • What are some expensive activities in your country? Despite the cost, do many people try these activities? Would you ever want to try these activities as well? Why or why not? Discuss.