Christmas Day swimmers enjoy the sea on Brighton seafront
Christmas Day swimmers braved the sea this morning in the return of the annual celebratory swim.
Around 100 people plunged into the water on Brighton beach around 11am.
The water was a cool 11.2C, a slight increase from last year’s temperatures, although the sea was definitely rougher.
Lifeguards stood by to keep everyone safe while families splashed around and then enjoyed champagne and hot drinks on the beach.
Ben Watson was dating his son Jacob Watson and said he goes with his kids every year.
He said: “We’ve been coming here since the kids were born, we’ve lived here for eight years and it’s kind of our tradition.
“Just dipping your feet in the water to start with is a pretty refreshing way to start the morning.”
Nick Barnes, 53, is an experienced swimmer and swam a few times on Christmas Day.
He said: “I’m here to jump into the sea. It’s crazy. This is my fourth year and it’s an exciting way to wake up to Christmas.
“I have a few friends here and my family have retreated to the beach with towels.”
Even our reporter Andrew Gardner got to enjoy the waves.
He said: “I was ready to get my feet a little bit wet before a huge wave came in and soaked everything below my waist.”
Luckily his camera didn’t get soaked in the process.
The event is not organized by any particular group, but still attracts hundreds of spectators and participants every year.
Brighton and Hove City Council has urged people to exercise caution when swimming in the sea ahead of today’s event.
Fabian Bull, Coastal Officer for Brighton and Hove City Council, said: “As open water swimming has grown in popularity in recent years we are seeing more and more groups of swimmers gathering for winter swimming.
“Cold water sea swimming requires skill, endurance and an awareness of the physical hazards and should only be for very experienced individuals with appropriate wetsuits in very calm conditions and with friends.”
Did you swim in the sea today? Make sure to email your images to george.carden@newsquest.co.uk and andrew.gardner@newsquest.co.uk
https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/23213157.christmas-day-swimmers-enjoy-sea-brighton-seafront/?ref=rss Christmas Day swimmers enjoy the sea on Brighton seafront
