Swimmers across the UK and Ireland braved freezing waters on New Year's Day, diving into the sea at coastal locations from Southend-on-Sea to Castlerock Beach in a cherished annual tradition. The largest gathering took place at Liverpool's Princes Dock, where around 40 participants plunged into water measuring just 4.3°C to raise funds for Zoe's Place Baby Hospice.
Louise Hardy, a 44-year-old housing officer from Norris Green, completed the 250-metre swim around Princes Dock alongside her husband Michael, who took his first-ever open-water dip. «It was boss, it sets you up for the year ahead,» she said. «We do it because it's great for our mental health and wellbeing.»
Michael Hardy, 43, admitted he did not stay in long. «My wife and friend do it a lot, but this year she asked me to come along,» he explained. «I know I wasn't in there for long, but I feel happy and I feel proud of myself.»
Veteran Swimmers Lead the Way
Ann Carr, a 63-year-old nurse from West Derby, has participated in the New Year's swim for four years. «You just have to get in and do it,» she said. «We've been doing it for four years now and it's just great.»
Jan Rigby, a 43-year-old exam invigilator from Wavertree, measured the water temperature by lying flat on the jetty with a digital thermometer before performing a head-first dive—a technique she strongly advises novices to «never ever do.» The seasoned swimmer has completed the Ice Mile challenge, a feat achieved by fewer than 100 people worldwide that requires swimming a mile in open water below 5°C.
Rigby, who has been swimming in open water for 11 years and does so four or five times weekly year-round, has braved temperatures as low as -0.5°C in salt water. «I was inspired by all the people around it,» she said. «I love that people start doing this at New Year, but it would surely be better to start in the summer and keep going.»
Safety Warning from RNLI
Gareth Morrison, head of water safety for the RNLI, issued a warning ahead of the event. «We know this time of year many people take part in festive and New Year dips or continue to take part in regular winter swims,» he said.
«With the sea temperatures still dropping and reaching their coldest around March, the effects of cold water, combined with weather conditions and any personal health issues, should be taken seriously before venturing in,» Morrison added. The RNLI recommended that novices, particularly those with cardiac or underlying health conditions, consult their GP before attempting their first open-water swim.
Swim Liverpool, which organized the event, has been hosting swims for seven years and moved to Princes Dock in 2021. The group's next Swim Run event is scheduled for May 9. Wyld Sauna at Princes Dock donated 100 percent of its New Year's Day revenue to Zoe's Place.
At other locations, swimmers turned out at Southend-on-Sea in Essex, Castlerock Beach in Coleraine, Northern Ireland, and Bray seafront in County Wicklow, Ireland. Many participants brought inflatables, took selfies, and wore creative costumes to mark the chilly tradition.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
