On the contrary. The ocean in Iceland have a surprisingly even temperature. And even if it is a cold period its a big thing to be swimming during winter in nordic countries. In addition to that, its not like you can control when you might fall in water.
>a place to be outside during winter without freezing to death.
Thats extremely hyperbolic, the avg temperature in december in Reykavik is -1.2 celsius.
Sure, it holds steady at a frigid and deadly 5-11 C, depending on the season!
https://www.seatemperature.org/europe/iceland/reykjavk.htm
> In addition to that, its not like you can control when you might fall in water.
No doubt, but there are lots of dangers that are outside your control, and many preventative skills are not compulsory. My question is why swimming in particular is considered a required skill to have, as opposed to other survival-related skills like, say, orienteering, first aid, bushcraft, krav maga, improvised appendectomies, etc. Is this because swimming is so common? Are there an unusual number of people falling into the ocean, compared to other countries with oceans?
> Thats extremely hyperbolic, the avg temperature in december in Reykavik is -1.2 celsius.
That was meant to be an exaggeration; a joke. Being wet in below freezing temperatures is certainly dangerous to your health, though you'd have a way to warm up in most cases.
Like I go to Crete in August and I cringe entering the sea coze it feels cold. When I was a kid I'd bathe in local rivers, hills area and always took me quite a bit of time to get in (water's maybe 20 Celsius?). And going to the mountains with water exiting a large underground cave (10 deg Celsius), some people would swim in it but even getting with my feet in it would numb my fingers, no way I'm dipping my balls in it .
So again, Iceland and swimming... sounds more like a joke.