In a chilling display of endurance, Polish national Lukasz Szpunar has shattered the Guinness World Record (GWR) for the longest time submerged in ice.
Szpunar spent a total of four hours and two minutes fully immersed in a box filled with ice, surpassing the previous record by a staggering 50 minutes.
Dressed only in swimming trunks, Szpunar was subjected to extreme conditions where his body, excluding his head and neck, was in full contact with ice. To protect himself during the arduous challenge, he wore a mouthguard to prevent his teeth from damage due to chattering.
The record-setting event took place under the watchful eyes of safety stewards who monitored his body temperature and consciousness throughout the attempt.
“At the beginning, there was discomfort, which slowly went away, but it came back towards the end,” Szpunar recounted about his experience.
Szpunar’s motivation for setting the new record stemmed from his passion for cold-exposure activities, often referred to as “walrusing.” He explained, “Because of my love for the cold, I wanted to test myself this time by sitting in the ice itself.”
This is not the first time Szpunar has taken on extreme challenges. Known for his thrill-seeking spirit, he has climbed four of Poland’s highest mountains wearing only shorts. “Extreme challenges make me feel alive,” he said, underscoring his affinity for pushing the limits of human endurance.
Beyond his personal achievements, Szpunar is also a dedicated community organizer. He co-organizes the ‘Lake of Angels’ campaign, where he and other participants take monthly sunrise dips in Lake Tarnobrzeg. The campaign supports the House of Angels Hospice, providing care for children with cancer, through donations collected at these events.
