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Jan 18, 2021 6:44 PM -

Cold-water swims appear to becoming a way to beat the COVID-19 blues

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More people appear to be taking to cold-water swims as a way to beat the COVID-19 blues.Photo of Esquimalt, Fleming beach/B.C. Government/Flickr)

More people appear to be taking to cold-water swims as a way to beat the COVID-19 blues.

Victoria's Andy Bernhart says when he started taking cold ocean dips at Willows Beach there were only a few diehards, but people are now flocking to the chilly water.

He says a cold-water swimmers Facebook page he started in Victoria has grown to 258 members.

He said this growth has occurred in about a year and other groups are also boasting more swimmers.

Bernhart says a jolt of cold water can help relieve pandemic-related stress and depression.

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