Draft:Josef Köberl

Josef Köberl (born 1977) is an Austrian ice bather, winter swimmer, event director and extreme swimmer renowned for his remarkable achievements in ice swimming and cold-water endurance. Known for his ability to withstand extreme cold, Köberl holds multiple world records, including for the longest time fully submerged in ice. His dedication to pushing the limits of human endurance has made him a pioneer in popularizing ice swimming and endurance events in Austria.

In addition to his record-breaking feats, Köberl founded the Ice Swimming Association Austria, where he advocates for the sport and organizes competitions. His efforts have significantly contributed to Austria's recognition in the international ice swimming community, inspiring others to engage with this unique and challenging discipline.

Early Life and Career

Josef Köberl was born in 1977 and grew up on a farm in the picturesque Salzkammergut region, within Austria’s Styria state, surrounded by the Austrian Alps. From an early age, he developed a close connection with nature, spending much of his childhood in the chilly waters of Lake Grundlsee, where even in summer, the water temperatures remained brisk. This exposure to cold water from an early age laid the groundwork for his later fascination with extreme sports and cold endurance challenges. Growing up, Köberl found solace in outdoor activities, particularly running, which helped him process the early losses of his father and sister.

In 2011, Köberl’s passion for open-water swimming was ignited when he learned of the first Lake Hallstatt swimming marathon. With only three weeks of training and a newly acquired wetsuit, he entered the marathon and discovered a newfound sense of freedom and liberation. Energized by the experience, Köberl returned to shore with a bold declaration: “If it’s that easy, then I’m going to swim the Channel.” Although many experienced swimmers dismissed his ambitious plan, Köberl was undeterred. He recognized his resilience and mental strength, which would ultimately fuel his pursuit of one of the most challenging open-water feats—the English Channel.

Köberl’s early exposure to the alpine environment and winter swimming shaped his interest in testing human endurance in cold conditions, leading him to pursue a career in endurance sports. Over time, he established himself in Austria’s winter sports community, focusing on ice and open-water swimming. He eventually took on leadership roles, including serving as President of the Ice Swimming Association Austria, where he organizes major events such as the Austrian Ice Swimming Championships.

He also founded Icebears Hintertux, a renowned 3-day glacier swimming camp held at the Hintertux Glacier, which trains athletes in high-altitude and extreme cold conditions. In 2018, Icebears Hintertux was recognized as the World Open Water Swimming Offering of the Year for its unique, challenging environment. Köberl also plays an active role as an official within the International Ice Swimming Association (IISA), supporting the growing community of ice swimming athletes worldwide.

Achievements and Competitive Performance

Record-Breaking Achievements

Josef Köberl has made a name for himself by setting several impressive world records in ice-related feats. On August 10, 2019, he achieved international recognition by setting a Guinness World Record for the Longest Duration of Full Body Contact With Ice, remaining submerged in an ice bath for an astounding 2 hours, 8 minutes, and 47 seconds. This remarkable feat, accomplished in Vienna, surpassed the previous record held by Jin Songhao of China and showcased Köberl’s exceptional mental and physical endurance.

In 2020, Köberl broke his own record for the Longest Time Spent in Contact With Ice Cubes by standing in a custom-made glass box filled with ice for an impressive 2 hours, 30 minutes, and 57 seconds. This achievement extended his previous record from 2019 by 30 minutes, further establishing him as a leading figure in extreme endurance challenges.

Competitive Winter Swimming

Köberl has a strong history in competitive winter swimming, having participated in various international championships. Notably, he competed at the 2023 Winter Swimming World Championships in Lake Bled, Slovenia, achieving a commendable 10th-place finish in the 1000m freestyle. He also took part in the 2016 Winter World Swimming Championships in Tyumen, Russia, where he secured multiple high placements in freestyle events and ice kilometer races. At the 2019 Austrian Ice Swimming Championships in Altenwörth, he finished 8th in the Ice Kilometer and excelled in various freestyle events. In February 2020, he performed exceptionally well at the International IC Altenwörth, securing 5th in the 1000m freestyle, 2nd in the 200m freestyle, 3rd in the 100m freestyle, and 1st in the 50m freestyle.

High-Altitude Ice Swimming

In 2021, Köberl pursued his goal of high-altitude ice swimming, attempting to complete an Ice Mile at 3,216 meters within a glacier crevasse at the Nature Ice Palace on the Hintertux Glacier in Austria. Despite near-freezing water temperatures, he successfully swam 1,511 meters, demonstrating his dedication to conquering challenging environments and his resilience in one of the most extreme forms of ice swimming.

Open Water Swimming and Oceans Seven

Köberl's ambitions extend beyond ice swimming; he is actively pursuing the Oceans Seven, an elite challenge that includes seven of the most difficult ocean swims in the world. His commitment to open water swimming earned him recognition among the 2019 World’s 50 Most Adventurous Open Water Men by the World Open Water Swimming Association (WOWSA). He was also nominated for the 2021 World Open Water Swimming Man of the Year.

Achievements in Ice Miles

Josef Köberl has completed numerous Ice Mile swims across Austria and Germany, demonstrating remarkable resilience in some of the most challenging winter swimming conditions. His first Ice Mile was on March 1, 2014, at Grundlsee in Austria, where he became the first Austrian to complete an Ice Mile by swimming 1.16 miles in 39 minutes and 12 seconds, with the water at 4.00°C and air at 1.60°C. He continued this feat at Emmersdorf on February 14, 2016, where he finished a mile in 33 minutes and 41 seconds in 4.90°C water with an air temperature of -3.60°C.

On February 22, 2019, he completed another Ice Mile at Wöhrsee, Germany, in 32 minutes and 4 seconds, further showcasing his endurance in 4.60°C water. In February 2020, Köberl completed two Ice Miles in Altenwörth, Austria, with times of 29:57 and 32:00 in 4.77°C water. This was followed by a January 2024 swim in Altenwörth, where he swam a mile in 33 minutes and 28 seconds in near-freezing water at 1.17°C. His most recent swims took place at Lake Zauchensee in Austria, where on April 27 and 28, 2024, he completed one Ice Mile and set a new Austrian distance record of 2,424 meters.