More than 2,000 swimmers from 16 countries took to the icy waters off Dalian on Saturday for the opening of the city's 2005 International Winter Swimming Festival.

Accompanied by shouts of encouragement, men and women plunged into the sea at Dalian's Golden Pebble Beach, in northeast China's Liaoning Province.

The beach is the winter base for the China Swimming Association, and although it is not yet winter the water is very cold.

After stripping off thick coats to reveal swimming costumes underneath, the assembled masses took the plunge.

Most swimmers headed ashore after about 10 minutes; some, suffering cramp and other problems, spent even less time at sea.

Anatoly Rekant, 71, from Russia, was attending the festival for the first time. "I tried the water on Friday and it felt good. Dalian is not as cold as my country," he told China Daily before taking part in the opening ceremony.

Fen Yuqin, 60, a member of a women's winter swimming team in Dalian, was thrilled by the experience. She said it was her third winter swimming since she retired. "I used to be in poor health, but now I'm very strong," she said.

"When so many people get together to face the sea, it is really enjoyable," she added.

The four-day festival features a swimming contest, a seminar on the science related to winter swimming, and exhibitions of paintings, calligraphy and photography. This is the fourth year the city has held the annual event.

Dalian's swimming association has more than 20,000 registered members. Proponents say winter swimming enhances health and longevity and boosts immunity.

(China Daily October 31, 2005)