Norwegian Oil Minister Tord Lien has braved the freezing water by accepting a challenge to take part in the ‘Jump in the Sea’ fad.
The minister became the first person from the government to take part in the cold-water bathing craze currently doing the rounds in Norway, running into the water at the popular beach of Ranheim, near Trondheim, after being nominated by Progress Party colleagues Geir Kristoffersen and Ulrikke Holmoy on Facebook.
Lien explained later that he does not like to turn a challenge down, but admitted that the conditions were cold both in and out of the water. He lasted around 15 seconds in the water before scampering back to the beach, drying himself off and putting on a warm pullover. He estimated that the water was about five degrees centigrade.
A cold water-bathing craze nicknamed ‘Jump in the Sea’ has been trending in Norway for over a week now after arriving from the Faroe Islands. People who accept the challenge and brave the cold waters around the country can then nominate others to do the same within the ensuing 24 hours. If the challenged person does not accept, he or she should face a forfeit such as buying the challenger a drink.
Lien challenged four of the government’s sate secretaries to join in the fun.