Most polar 1 km ice swims (male)

The most 1-km ice swims completed in polar waters by a male swimmer is six by Ram Barkai (South Africa), the most recent of which took place off Deception Island in the South Shetland Islands on 8 March 2026. His swims have been ratified by the International Ice Swimming Association.

Barkai's polar swims took place as follows:

- Antarctica: Long Lake, near Maitri research station in Queen Maud Land: 7 February 2008 (22 min 5 sec). This is also the most southerly 1-km ice swim, at 70.76°S.

- Antarctica: Neko Harbour, Antarctic Peninsula: 28 February 2014 (30 min)

- Arctic: Svalbard, Norway: 22 June 2017 (28 min 16 sec)

- Antarctica: Mikkelsen Harbour on Trinity Island, off Antarctic Peninsula: 24 November 2018 (18 min 47 sec)

- Antarctica: Brown Station, Antarctic Peninsula: 14 November 2024 (18 min 44 sec)

- Antarctica: Deception Island, South Shetland Islands: 8 March 2026 (20 min 55 sec)

Barkai (b. 22 October 1957) is the oldest male to swim 1 km in both Arctic and Antarctic waters, aged 59 years 243 days (22 June 2017) and 68 years 137 days (8 March 2026) respectively.

The female record is four polar 1-km swims, swam by Samantha Whelpton (South Africa), most recently off Stonington Island near the Antarctic Peninsula on 4 March 2026.