Young Kurds take a bracing dip in Choman's ice-cold waters
In the mountainous district of Choman, Erbil province, temperatures can drop to -12°C. Most of the area’s ponds have frozen over.
But the sub-zero temperatures aren’t stopping young people from breaking through a 10 centimeter-thick layer of ice to go for a bracing swim.
On sheets of ice unbroken, people go for a ski.
Ski coach Ramyar Ahmed sees potential in the development of winter sports to bring tourists to the area.
“In Kurdistan Region, this adventure is only practiced in Choman,” Ramyar said. “If it is organized, we would have many visitors, and it can be a good source of tourism.”
Reporting by Bakhtiyar Qadir
But the sub-zero temperatures aren’t stopping young people from breaking through a 10 centimeter-thick layer of ice to go for a bracing swim.
On sheets of ice unbroken, people go for a ski.
Ski coach Ramyar Ahmed sees potential in the development of winter sports to bring tourists to the area.
“In Kurdistan Region, this adventure is only practiced in Choman,” Ramyar said. “If it is organized, we would have many visitors, and it can be a good source of tourism.”
Reporting by Bakhtiyar Qadir