The International Ice Swimming Association (IISA) was formed in 2009 by Ram Barkai together with his swimming mates Andrew Chin, Toks Viviers, Ryan Stramrood and Kieron Palframan with a vision to formalise swimming in icy water. IISA passion is swimming in icy waters in every location possible around our globe. In order to allow for that IISA has put in place a well considered set of rules to allow for maximum safety measures in this extreme sport and toregulate swim integrity in terms of distance, time, conditions and safety.IISA introduced the Ice Mile as its ultimate achievement in ice-swimming. An Ice Mile is a swim of one mile in water of 5ºC or less. The swim must be unassisted and with one pair of goggles, one cap and one standard swimming costume. The Ice Mile is the ultimate personal challenge that should be followed with all the safety and controls in place.
In 2014 IISA introduced the 1km Ice event. This event allows swimmers to compete in icy waters of 5ºC or less, under IISA rules, over a course of 1000m. IISA is setup to hold world records as part of its vision to see Ice Swimming included as a category in the Winter Olympic Games and make it globally recognised sport.
By 2015 the IISA had grown globally and so country associations were introduced to promote Ice Swimming more effectively through the member nations and so IISA GB was created.