Defying freezing temperatures and official health warnings, hundreds of spirited swimmers across Britain have taken part in traditional Christmas Eve dips in coastal waters. The festive plunges, many for charity, went ahead as the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued a cold health alert and the Met Office warned of strong winds over the holiday period.
Charity Swimmers Brave the Icy Waves
In Northern Ireland, a large crowd gathered at Helen's Bay in County Down for the annual 'Santa Splash' event. The festive ritual began with carol singing and bell ringing, followed by a warm-up session led by local fitness coaches Eamon Swail and Calvin Brennan. At 11am, participants clad in Santa hats, tinsel, and elf ears raced into the cold waters of Belfast Lough.
The event attracted notable figures, including Agriculture Minister and local MLA Andrew Muir, and the Mayor of Ards and North Down Borough Council, Gillian McCollum. This year's swim was in aid of two important causes: Dementia Northern Ireland and the Air Ambulance Northern Ireland.
Meanwhile, on the north-east coast of England, brave Geordies in red bathing suits and Santa hats took to the sea at Cullercoats Bay in North Tyneside, showcasing the nationwide tradition of a bracing festive swim.
Weather Warnings for Christmas and Boxing Day
The swimmers' bravery was underscored by significant weather warnings. The UKHSA has issued a yellow cold health alert from 6pm on Christmas Day to 12pm on December 27 for south west England. The agency warned that low temperatures could lead to increased pressure on health services and pose a greater risk to vulnerable people.
Separately, the Met Office issued a yellow weather warning for wind, affecting south-west England and much of Wales, from 4am until 11.59pm on Christmas Day. Forecasters predict easterly winds could bring gusts of 45-55mph widely, with 55-65mph possible on exposed coasts. These conditions may cause transport disruption, power supply issues, and generate large, hazardous waves.
Met Office spokesman Oli Claydon stated that while Christmas Day would see mainly dry weather with sunny spells, it would be "highly unlikely" to be a white Christmas. He highlighted that the highest temperatures on Christmas Day are expected to be around 7°C in north-east England, with frost and freezing temperatures overnight, potentially dropping to -6°C in rural Scotland and -4°C in rural Wales.
Festive Spirit Trumps the Freeze
Despite the glacial conditions and official alerts, the mood at the swims was one of determined merriment. Participants of all ages linked arms, shared festive kisses, and wore creative outfits like turkey hats as they faced the icy Irish Sea and North Sea. Their efforts are expected to raise substantial funds for the supported charities.
The events proceeded as the RAC predicted that 4.2 million festive getaway trips by car would peak on Christmas Eve, advising drivers to avoid major roads like the M25 and M5 during the busiest period between 1pm and 7pm.
These annual dips, a test of resilience and community spirit, have once again proven a popular, if chilly, way to celebrate the festive season and support vital charitable work across the UK.
