An Australian woman who’s battled chronic pain for most of her life is today attempting to break the ice swimming world record.

Charmian Frend is attempting to swim more than 3.3km in water which is under 5°C, wearing only a pair of bathers, a cap and a pair of goggles, to take home the title.

She’s swimming today in Lake Crakenback in Thredbo, where the water temperature overnight was an icy 3.5°C.

“The worst part of it, I find, is my hands. I feel like there’s knives, bits of glass going into them. They really sting so I just try and imagine they’ve frozen into paddles and I’m swimming with paddles on,” she told Neil Mitchell.

“You basically go into hypothermia.”

Charmain is undertaking the challenge to raise funds for Pain Foundation. You can donate to her effort HERE.

Press PLAY below to hear what swimming in 4°C water feels like