Taking the Plunge

While most people celebrate their twenty-first in style, Shane Weston’s milestone birthday was marred with devastating news that he had Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

Fortunately, Shane has been in remission for nearly two decades and is now heading a cold-water immersion group to help improve mental and physical strength, foster relationships and help others through difficult times.

Inspired by Wim Hof and his cold immersion techniques, Shane founded the East Gippsland Cold Plunge Crew (EGCPC) last year.

‘Initially, I was looking for a few locals to join me for occasional cold dips. After creating a Facebook group, we received an overwhelming response,’ Shane said. ‘Our main goal is to build resilience, both physically and mentally, and support each other through life’s challenges.’

‘I am passionate about community building and believe in the power of bringing people together. I have initiated several community groups over the years, and the response to this one has been fantastic. Our regular members have created a supportive and welcoming environment where we can catch up, share experiences, and support each other without judgment or expectations.’

Participants come from all over Gippsland and range in ages from late teens to an inspiring 80-year-old who rarely misses an event and is usually the first one in the water.

The group chats over Facebook and determines their date, time and location of meetups through an online poll. So far, they’ve met at various places throughout East Gippsland including Lakes Entrance, Mitchell River, Nicholson Bridge, and Lake Tyers.

Prior to the dip, the group chooses a song and sets a timer. They then put on a brave face, immerse themselves in the water and sing, dance or just quietly endure the cold against their skin. Once complete, they walk away with a sense of accomplishment and a natural dopamine boost.

Shane said the coldest temperature he’s experienced was 0.5 degrees Celsius for five minutes. Recently, he stayed in 10-degree water for over an hour and found that the effects were quite similar.

‘It’s not solely about the temperature; you can benefit from cold immersion even at temperatures of 12 degrees or lower,’ he said. ‘Physically, it reduces muscle soreness and inflammation, speeds up recovery, enhances circulation, and strengthens the immune system. It also boosts metabolism.

‘Emotionally, it is a game-changer, releasing endorphins that improve mood, reduce stress, and build mental toughness.

‘Socially, it fosters a strong sense of community, providing mutual support and encouragement. Combining cold immersion with mindfulness and breathing exercises makes the experience even more rewarding.’

The EGCPC recently participated in the Gippsland Jersey Sunrise Swim, where nearly 200 locals and tourists immersed themselves in the Gippsland Lakes at sunrise to raise awareness for mental health.

In the near future, Shane plans on doing a fundraiser for Daffodil Day to support cancer research. ‘The cold immersion often reminds me of the mental and physical challenges (I faced during my cancer fight),’ he said.  ‘I am always looking for new ways to elevate the group, and I hope to have a dedicated location for our activities in the future.’

Anyone wanting to join the group is welcomed to do so but is encouraged to consult a healthcare professional first with any health concerns.

‘Even if you cannot attend due to health issues, our community is welcoming, and we’d love to connect with like-minded individuals interested in building resilience,’ Shane said. ‘For more information, please join our Facebook group at East Gippsland Cold Plunge Crew.