Christmas swimmers take FREEZING plunge in festive tradition
WHILE most of us were warm and cosy indoors, these hardy swimmers braved chilly waters around Britain for a traditional Christmas Day swim yesterday.
Swimmers took to the seas and lakes in an impressive show of festive grit
They bravely took the plunge in Santa hats and fancy dress, with gritty Geordies among the first to wade into the freezing surf at Tynemouth’s King Edward’s Bay at dawn.
They were followed by swimmers, some wearing caveman outfits, at Porthcawl, South Wales.
Bathers at Charmouth, Dorset, were determined to jump in, ignoring danger warnings from the RNLI over rough seas.
There were calmer waters at Brighton, however, but the temperature was still a far-from-inviting 48F (9C).
Twins Caroline and Stephanie Adams took the plunge at Porthcawl, South Wales
They looked like serious swimmers who relished the challenge – and the cold water
Britain’s lakes also attracted scores of swimmers with a big turnout at Blackroot Pool in Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, and traditionalists were out in force in London’s Hyde Park for the annual Peter Pan Cup.
Raced over a 100-yard course, the handicap event is open only to members of the Serpentine Swimming Club.
The club’s Christmas Day race has been held every year since 1864 and JM Barrie donated the first Peter Pan Cup in 1904 – the year his play about The Boy Who Wouldn’t Grow Up debuted in London.
One onlooker said: “They looked like serious swimmers who relished the challenge – and the cold water.”