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Thousands of hardy swimmers took the opportunity to burn off those Christmas calories as they charged into the sea for a Boxing Day dip.
Braving the barmy conditions, participants wearing Father Christmas hats and bikinis plunged into chilly waters across the UK, with events in England, Wales and Scotland.
At Perranporth in north Cornwall, crowds charged into the icy waters as temperatures dipped to 8C.
The big dip is staged every year just after dawn, with many people refusing to wear a wet suit for protection when sprinting into the freezing surf.Â
And on the other side of the UK, in Scotland, the Aberdeen Lions Club staged their first Boxing Day dip since the pandemic, with scores of revellers joining in.Â
There were similar scenes in Tynemouth, north-east England, Redcar, North Yorkshire, Pembrey and Tenby in Wales, and Deal in Kent.
The annual event, which has returned for the first time in three years, sees bold fundraisers sprint across the beach and take the icy plunge
Sporting festive hats and costumes, the mass of hardy swimmers charged into the choppy surf
A group of Santa’s elves brave the chilly, crisp sea for a boxing day dip for the annual event
Crowds of hardy locals ran into the freezing waters at Seaburn Beach, Sunderland to raise money for charity.
The annual event, which has returned for the first time in three years, sees bold fundraisers sprint across the beach and take the icy plunge.
Swimmers wore an array of colourful costumes as they splashed about in the sub-zero temperatures.
Hundreds of chilly onlookers donned woolly hats, gloves and coats as the wrapped up to shield from the cold.
Julie Klein, 53, dressed as a nun for the dip to raise money for Red Sky Foundation, a charity that raises funds for babies and children with heart problems across the North East.
The lawyer, from Sunderland, said: ‘I did the dip in 1986 when I was in sixth form but I haven’t done it since.
‘I tried cold water swimming for a month in November last year, which was also for charity, but that’s the last time I went into the sea.
‘It was freezing but it’s a nice day and everyone is in high spirits.
‘The cold water isn’t even the worst bit, the seaweed wrapped around my legs and I was stuck. Then a wave came over and splashed us.
‘It’s for a really good cause and it also gets me out of the house on Boxing Day.’
Her friend Nicola Mcallister, who works for the police, wore a bag of chips costume.
The 51-year-old from Sunderland said: ‘This was my first dip but we’ve done cold water swimming before.
‘It’s cold but it’s worth it for charity. We’re raising money for Red Sky. We already did a charity event for them earlier this year.
‘I’m dressed as chips so I was hoping to go in their and catch a fish to complete the costume.’Â
Swimmers brush off the chill during Aberdeen Lions Club’s Boxing Day dip, the first time the bonanza has been held since the coronavirus pandemicÂ
Swimmers wore an array of colourful costumes as they splashed about in the sub-zero temperatures
The annual event, which has returned for the first time in three years, sees bold fundraisers sprint across the beach and take the icy plunge
The big dip is staged every year just after dawn, with many people refusing to wear a wet suit for protection when sprinting into the freezing surf
Hundreds of people rushed into the waves of Perranporth beach in Cornwall shortly after dawn – although not many remained in the icy waters for longÂ
Participants from the Crazy Ladies group wear Christmas present headpieces as they take a dip in the freezing sea
Hundreds of swimmers in bikinis and festive fancy dress brave barmy Boxing Day swimsÂ
The chilly waters of Tenby, Wales, was ‘snow’ problem for this fancy dress swimmer, who charged into the water dressed as a snowman carrying a diver
And in Tynemouth Longsands, bathers took a dip in their bathing suits as a large merchant ship sales past
Santa’s elves may be used to living in the icy wastes of the North Pole but this trio of little helpers found the chilly waters of Tynemouth a bit too much to handleÂ
Swimmers in Redcar went the extra mile with their outfits, with this pair dressing up as he Grinch, right, and Fred Flintstone, left
While in Kent there was an interesting selection of headwear as swimmers rushed into the sea in Deal – with this man wearing a turkey on his head
Gail Pratt, 60, a receptionist from Sunderland ran into the sea with her daughter dressed as elves to raise money for the Red Sky Foundation.
The mum said: ‘The water was blooming freezing. I can’t feel my feet now. I did the dip in 2019 but this time I dragged my daughter in with me.
‘It’s worth it for an amazing cause. It’s for a local charity that helps children.’
Claire Holyoak, 24, donned a bright red Christmas cracker costume while raising money for the Red Sky Foundation.
The Sunderland-based bank worker said: ‘My friends messaged me a few days ago asking if I wanted to take a last minute dip in the North Sea and I thought ‘why not’.
‘I quickly searched the internet for a costume and bought the only one that would fit.
‘I usually take ice baths and do cold water swimming so I thought it was going to be freezing but it wasn’t that bad while I was in there.
‘The worst part was waiting for the dip but once I was submerged it was okay.’Â
A participant puts a hot water bottle inside her coat as she gets dressed after her dip in the icy sea
Hundreds of Boxing Day swimmers joined the annual dip in the sea at Tenby, Wales
What a load of stars! These swimmers plunged into the waters off Tenby, Wales, in fancy dress to mark the 50th Boxing Day swim there
And they’re off! Hundreds of swimmers rushed into the sea at Pembrey beach, Wales, for the Boxing Day dip
Golden duo – this pair of swimmers with their dog were in high spirits in their golden getups during this morning’s festive bonanza in Tenby, Wales
Hundreds of people took part in the Boxing Day dip in Deal, Kent
There was no problem in ‘Finding Nemo’ in Tenby, Wales, as this child in fancy dress proved during the Boxing Day swim
Others chose to take the plunge to raise money for charity. Paralympian gold medalist Josef Craig, 25, was among them.Â
The athlete, who won Paralympic gold in the 400m freestyle swimming at the London 2012 Olympics, has also had family personally affected by cancer and been supported by charity Cancer Connections.
He said: ‘It’s a great day, it always is. Seeing everyone coming out and supporting the charity is amazing and it’s great to have Jade here and see some good friends.
‘Cancer Connections is a charity close to my heart, it always has been. It’s helped my family personally through a lot so I’m always indebted to them.
‘The work they do is essential. It’s really important to everybody because I think everybody is touched by cancer at one point in their life, whether it’s a friend, family member or themselves.’Â
Swimmers in Scotland dressed in full festive costumes as they joined the Boxing Day dip staged by the Aberdeen Lions Club
Volunteers from the RNLI were close at hand in Redcar, North Yorkshire, to help keep swimmers safe
Hundreds of festive swimmers braved the icy waters of Perranporth beach in Cornwall for the Boxing Day plunge. Children, adults and pensioners all joined in the action – with some even wearing Father Christmas hats
Despite the barmy temperatures, spirits were high – with this pair celebrating diving into the surf of the Cornish beauty spot on Boxing Day
After a quick plunge, the swimmers were straight back out of the water. Pictured is the Boxing Day dip in Deal, Kent
Fancy dress was the order of the day in Redcar, North Yorkshire, with swimmers dressing up as everything from a Christmas tree to Santa
Swimmers in Deal, Kent, dry themselves off after their chilly dip in the sea
Canadian Jaws? There were some interesting outfits like this one in Redcar, North Yorkshire
This hardy swimmer in Redcar, North Yorkshire, was swimming in just a pair of trunks
Sports clubs in Redcar, North Yorkshire, also joined the Boxing Day swim today
While this swimmer, also at Redcar, joined in the action dressed as a penguin
Participants braved the chilly sea without wetsuits, with many wearing just bikinis and swimming shorts during the Boxing Day bonanzaÂ
And it was smiles all round as participants strutted back onto dry land after taking the plunge in the barmy waters off the Cornish coast
Swimmers in fancy dress, with one carrying a Ukrainian flag, join the Boxing Day plunge in Redcar
Temperatures during this morning’s Boxing Day swim hit eight degrees Celcius – with many participants choosing to don festive headwear, including this man wearing reindeer antlers
But it wasn’t all festive fancy dress – this swimmer in Redcar, North Yorkshire was in a tiki-style dress for the Boxing Day dip
Wrapping up? One woman brought her own roll of wrapping paper during the Boxing Day swim at Perranporth in Cornwall – but it was unlikely to keep her warm in the chilly seaside watersÂ
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