IISA Member Bio

IISA ID:  3806
Membership Level Icon
JB Lanza
United States
Lynn
United States
United States
Country Association
United States
ICE ID: 475
Gender: Female
Age: 39
Ice Miles: 5
ICE 7s: 2
About JB Lanza
Dubbed by the Boston Globe as an “ice swimming prodigy” I believe I was destined to be an ice swimmer. As a triathlete I was already aware that my body performed at its peak in cold weather; my personal bests for many events are during Nor’easters, the day after winter storms and in the dead of winter whereas hot weather tended to produce lesser results.

In 2020 I found my local open water swimming community and as the summer season wrapped up, I ventured into my first winter of swimming (the 2020-2021 season). As a triathlete I was conditioned to believe I would need to be in a wetsuit, even though I was overheating tremendously. As the weather got colder I watched as fellow swimmers hazarded the water in skins while I donned my wetsuit. The following season of 2021-2022 I joined the skins crew however with gloves and booties, but very soon fellow swimmers commented on my tolerance in the water and how my recovery was swift and mild; encouraging me to consider an ice mile. And at that point I was hooked- that summer I started my quest for an ice mile.

2022-2023 was my third season of cold-water swimming and was my first season of swimming full skins. Catching Covid in the beginning of November, I was limited to training in an inflatable bath on my front porch. Nevertheless, by early December I was amped and ready for my first ice mile. After 1,625 meters in 3.19C water I walked away under my own power and recovered so rapidly that my observer and I immediately started thinking about consecutive ice miles and what the rules were for such a feat.

Come April of 2023 I returned to those same waters to attempt consecutive ice miles. My second ice mile, first of the consecutive attempt was completed with no concern! Sadly, during the prescribed 12-hour period between ice miles the wind directions changed making the water a smidge too warm and that consecutive ice mile attempt was stopped. I was determined to complete this extraordinary feat, so early December of the following season in 2023 I returned and was successful. I am very proud to be the second person, and first female, to have documented and ratified IISA consecutive ice miles.

At this point with 4 successful ice miles under my belt, I competed in the 1km event in January 2024 at the Pan American IISA Nationals in Chantilly, VA. The following day I left for Morocco to start acclimating for an African ice mile which would take place at 2,120m above sea level. Less than a month after completing my previous (consecutive) ice mile, I accomplished the two additional swims required for the Ice Triple Crown- making me proud to stand as the 2nd American to wear the Ice Triple Crown.

Even before the Ice Triple Crown was announced, I had already set my sights on the Ice7s- my passion for travel and cultures synced with my love of ice swimming. I tried to arrange to visit Chile as well as Ireland however did not receive local support at the time to orchestrate those continental swims but look forward to chasing these additional 5 continents in the near future. You can follow my chase on IG @JBLanzaChasingIce7s.

The ice swimming community is small but growing. Filled with novice and seasoned athletes, including cool, cold and ice achievements, ranging from decades of experience to a few years. It is important we recognize that everyone has a different path and unique abilities and as such won’t follow a prescribed route.

A person never knows where and how their journey will begin and proceed throughout their life. I have experienced support and encouragement from most members while a small handful were skeptical. This just supported what I had slowly been learning: some individuals thrive only if they can shine brighter than you. My mission to promote further inclusiveness in the sport is to inspire others; be a beacon of admiration rather than tear down their dreams. Sharing the spotlight with fellow motivational swimmers boosts kinship and strengthens our unity as we foster and usher in the new generation of ice swimmers.

Ice Miles

  Swim Date Swim
Location
Water
Temp
Wind
Chill
Swim
Dist.
Swim
Time
Body of
Water
Altitude (m)
GPS Latitude
   
1 3 Dec 2022 Ohio Street Beach, Chicago,... 3.19°C -0.50°C 1.0100mi 0:36:18 Lake 191m  41.89°N view
2 7 Apr 2023 Ohio Street Beach, Chicago,... 4.72°C 5.70°C 1.0100mi 0:42:54 Lake 191m  41.89°N view
3 10 Dec 2023 Ohio Street Beach, Chicago,... 4.09°C -2.80°C 1.0100mi 0:36:52 Lake 191m  41.89°N view
4 11 Dec 2023 Ohio Street Beach, Chicago,... 3.26°C -5.00°C 1.0100mi 0:36:21 Lake 191m  41.89°N view
5 22 Jan 2024 Tislit Lake, Morocco 4.77°C -2.00°C 1.0100mi 0:37:41 Lake 2120m view

IISA 1km Swims

Only IISA Swims <= 5.0°C
  Swim
Date
Event Name Country
Association
Event Venue Swim
Time
Water
Temp
Wind
Chill
Altitude (m)
GPS Latitude
AR ER WR WC    
1 14 Jan 2024 IISA USA Nationals United States Brookfield Swim Club C... 19:59.33 3.90°C 0.00°C           PDF Icon view
AR = Age-Group Record
ER = Swim Event Record
WR = World Record
WC = World Championship Record

Qualifying Swims

IISA Qualifying Swims & IISA Event Swims > 5.0°C
  Swim
Date
Swim
Location
Event Name Swim
Distance
Stroke Status Water
Temp
Wind
Chill
Swim
Time
Altitude
(m)
Observer    
1 29 Nov 2022 Ohio St. Beach,... 1028m Crawl Accepted 4.47°C 4.60°C 23:18.61 - Qing Li PDF Icon view

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