The 8th International Ice Swimming Association (IISA) GB Champs take place at Sandford Lido in Cheltenham on January 6 and 7, starting at 9.30am

Welcome to the extreme world of ice swimming where elite swimmers, wearing just a swimming costume and hat, take to icy waters and race up to 1km, often cutting out swim lanes in the ice.

Cold water swimming, wild swimming and ice dips have all been gaining in popularity over the past few years. However, ice swimming takes things further - a lot further - and is not for the faint hearted!

With distances of between 50 metres to 1km, ice swimming requires fitness, stamina and an iron determination to keep going when submerged in such an extreme environment. Excessively harsh on the human body, swimmers have to pass rigorous medicals and are monitored throughout to ensure they are safe to swim.

The rules for the champs, run under the auspices of the IISA (International Ice Swimming Association), require that swimmers take to water of 5C or under, wearing only a regular swimming costume, a pair of goggles and swim hat. Nothing more.

The event is sponsored for the first time by outdoor brand Red. Entry is free to spectators.