| Where: | Whitley Bay, North Tyneside by the Boardwalk Cafe & Various locations around the UK |
| When: | Whitley Bay 26th December & 1st January - other events 25th & 26th December, 1st January |
| Time: | Whitley Bay 10.45 for 11am- others various times |
A number of locations around the UK host midwinter swimming events – not all of them are even on the coast – and they seem to be growing in popularity through the twenty-first century. On Christmas Day there are usually events at Brighton, Bournemouth, Exmouth, Polkerris and Porthcawl; on Boxing Day try Liverpool’s Albert Dock, Aberdeen’s Nippy Dipper, Whitley Bay, Tenby, Redcar or Seaburn ; at New Year Saundersfoot, Broughty Ferry, Queensferry’s Loony Dook, Whitley Bay (again!) or Clevedon. Some events have a competitive element but most are just a group of brave enthusiasts proving their hardiness!
Helpful Hints
I’ve used Whitley Bay as an example as it’s near where I live.
There will be a similar event somewhere near you! Because of the unpredictable nature of British weather, they are very occasionally cancelled for safety reasons (as happened in Brighton in 2012, for example). For a different midwinter swimming event see the article “Peter Pan Cup”.
For a full list of festive swimming events click here : http://www.outdoorswimmingsociety.com/home
and watch out in your local press as they’re dotted around all over the country. There’s even a Plunge in the White Wells on New Year’s Day at Ilkley in Yorkshire, far from the coast!
Can you please tell me how to get involved, as I would like to raise some money for charity.
Hi Karen,
There are swims all around the UK coast – if you visit http://wildswim.com a bit nearer the time, the locations should all appear on their map and list of upcoming swims (there aren’t any listed just now but we’re about as far away from Christmas/New Year as you can get,and they should appear in due course!)
Best wishes,
Averil
Liverpool boxing day dip (2015). On/Off, if its on what time please?
I would like to take the dip at Whitley bay on new year day how do I get involved
You can contact the Panama Swimming Club via their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/PanamaSwimmingClub/ or via their website at http://panamaswimmingclub.co.uk/contact/ and they’ll be able to give you all the info you’ll need. Hope you have fun!
Although it says on the Swimming Club website that the New Years Day swim isn’t officially organised by anyone, I’m sure they’ll know how it all works on the day!
Just fancy doing this as a bucket list, can you wear wetsuit?
Hi Denise,
I think you can wear whatever you like as long as you’re brave enough to get in!
Best wishes,
Averil