For more than ten years, the Ideström family from Vålådalen has set out on an icebreaker tour with their kayaks.
– It is so magical to paddle just in the transition period between open water and ice, says Torkel Ideström to SVT Jämtland.
But at the same time, he warns against venturing out.
– Even though it is warm and still, the water is still very cold, he says.
– You have to think that you should be able to swim ashore if you were to capsize. When the water is so cold, a life jacket is not enough. You quickly get chilled.
In addition to a life jacket, the canoeists wear a wetsuit, which means that you can cope much better in the cold water if you fall in.
– You have to know what you are doing and never go out alone, concludes Torkel.