Hawke’s Bay locals Deb and Davey aren’t your average cold‑water swimmers. They’re competitive ice swimmers preparing for some of the toughest events in the world, including the World Ice Swimming Championships — and they’ve been using the Moji Ice Bath as part of their high‑performance training.
For both athletes, the motivation to train at this level comes from a deep desire to test their limits. As Deb puts it, she’s driven “to gain mental strength and push my limits. To see what I am capable of”. Davey’s reason is equally bold: he wants “to push the limits and compete”.
Their cold‑water journey started years ago — Davey has been swimming through winter at Ahuriri Beach for nine years, and Deb for six. What kept her going? “It calmed my anxiety and helped me deal with life’s challenges”.
The First Plunge: Shock, Nerves, and a Spark
Their first icy‑water experiences were at Maraetotara Falls — “invigorating, slightly nerve‑racking” for both of them. But that initial shock quickly became a foundation for resilience. Competing at an international level still brings nerves, especially around the mental challenge of performing among elite athletes.
Training As an Elite Athlete
Their weekly training schedule is nothing short of intense.
Deb, who is also preparing for a 102km ultra, trains with a mix of running, swimming, strength work, yoga, plyometrics, and regular ice exposure. She uses the Moji Ice Bath “every day or every second day, dropping down the temperature every 3 weeks to 3 degrees”.
Davey swims six days a week through winter, spends 40+ minutes in cold water, and uses the ice tub six days a week. Both train in Maraetotara and Twin Lakes, combining natural cold exposure with controlled sessions in the Moji Ice Bath.
When preparing for extreme cold, they emphasise that “most importantly it’s your mind” and that warming up safely afterwards is essential; warm clothes, hot water bottles, and hot drinks are all part of their routine.
Why Controlled Cold Exposure Matters
While open‑water swimming is a core part of their training, the Moji Ice Bath gives them something nature can’t: consistency.
“You know it’s going to be a certain temp and can rely on it,” they explained when asked how the Moji differs from open water.
Right now, they keep their Moji Ice Bath at 8°C, with plans to drop it to 7°C as they adapt. That level of precision is crucial for safe progression, especially when training for world‑level events.
Recovery at its Best
For Deb, the recovery benefits have been game‑changing.
“It has been fantastic for muscle recovery and I think sped up my recovery after long training runs and ultra events”.
Cold water immersion also helps reduce inflammation, improve mobility, and shorten recovery time. And mentally, it’s a powerful tool: “It forces you to put mind over matter and work through hard stuff” Deb shared, noting that the calm she builds in the ice carries into everyday life.
The Mental Battle: First 30 Seconds
Ask any cold water athlete — the first 30 seconds are everything.
Your body goes into shock, and as Deb describes it, you must “control your breathing” with short puffs or long exhales depending on the moment .
Cold exposure has taught them resilience, courage, and self‑belief. It’s not just physical training, it’s mental conditioning.
Their advice for beginners?
“Give it a go… you get so many positive benefits” and start slowly: “Start at 18 degrees for a short time and slowly reduce when you feel comfortable”.
Safety First
Deb and Davey are clear about safety protocols, something Moji strongly supports.
They always have someone with them, keep an eye on time, and have a structured warm‑up plan afterwards. Controlled temperature is essential because “you know what you are in for” compared to unpredictable natural water.
Why They Choose Moji Ice Bath?
When asked why they chose Moji Ice Bath specifically, their answer was simple:
“We have been really pleased with ours”.
Deb loves that she can “manage all the functions myself, clean it, maintain it etc” — a key feature for athletes who need reliability and independence in their recovery tools .
Would they recommend Moji to other athletes?
“Yes. It’s easy to use, take care of, and has lots of benefits”.
Looking Ahead to the World Championship in Romania
Their goals for the World Championships are beautifully human:
Deb wants “to push my limits, be brave and enjoy it,” while Davey wants “to see how far I can go”.
Success, for them, isn’t medals, it’s “living a full life, connecting with people, having a purpose and giving back”.
They’re aiming to qualify for the World Championships this July at the New Zealand Championship.
Deb and Davey’s journey is all about resilience, curiosity, courage and the pursuit of better, both physically and mentally.
Their journey shows that cold exposure isn’t just a trend. It’s a discipline, a recovery tool, and a pathway to discovering what you’re truly capable of.
And for them, the Moji Ice Bath has become an essential part of that journey.