Christmas dips, Boxing Day and New Year swims in Dorset
With so much stunning coastline in Dorset there’s plenty of opportunity to take a winter dip, whether it’s an organised event or a quieter swim with friends.
Christmas Day
The Weymouth and Portland Lions Club’s harbour swim on Christmas Day. Starts from the Cove on Trinity Road and finishes across the water opposite the Harbour Master’s office on Custom House Quay.
Macmillan White Christmas Dip, 9.45 am Christmas Day at Boscombe beach. whitechristmasdip.co.uk.
Boxing Day
The Swanage Boxing Day Swim is a great way to support local charity #WillDoes, which has organised the swim for the last few years. Starts 11am. Meet on the beach outside The Mowlem.
The West Bay Wallow takes place at noon on Boxing Day. It’s run by Bridport Round Table.
New Year’s Day
The Lyme Lunge is an annual fancy dress swim which takes place at 1pm on New Year’s Day. Sandy Beach, Marine Parade, Lyme Regis DT17 3JF
Cold water swimmming safety
- Try and get used to being in cold water before you have a swim. Use your shower or bath to build up getting used to the cold in the weeks ahead of a swim.
- Make sure what you wear in the water gives enough warmth for the amount of time you’ll be in. Neoprene is good, including hats and gloves.
- If you’re wearing fancy dress, make sure nothing will damage the environment.
- Make sure you’re warm before you enter the water.
- Get in slowly and make sure your breathing is under control.
- Never swim alone – organised events are best.
- Take warm, dry clothes to change into, including hat and gloves.
- Take a warm drink to have when you get out.
- Take a hot water bottle to help warm you up.
Swimming groups
If you’d like to swim with like-minded people you could consider joining a group:
- The Bluetits, nationwide but there are groups in Bridport, Mudeford, Christchurch (Friars Cliff Beach), Poole and Bournemouth (Canford Cliffs), Sandbanks, Studland and Weymouth.
- Beyond the Blue – casual swim meet-ups in Poole
- Bournemouth Sea Dippers – swim every morning at Boscombe pier.
- The Cold Water Collective – swim every Sunday in Boscombe.
