Around 50 brave souls took to the River Dart’s icy waters to greet the New Year outside Dartmouth Yacht Club.
A crowd gathered along South Embankment to cheer on the swimmers taking part in the club’s New Year’s Day Dip. Swimmers were rewarded with free shower tokens and soup to warm themselves up afterwards.
A Dartmouth Yacht Club spokesperson said: “Having taken the difficult decision to limit ourselves to only outdoor social events, it was great to see the New Year’s Day Dip following in the wake of the Christmas Carols and attracting a good crowd.
“Estimates on the day suggest as many as 50 daring dippers, and 150 plus super supportive spectators - a great turnout for a self-proclaimed ‘low key’ event. Free shower tokens and warm soup were eagerly seized upon by those taking part and it was great to see a busy - if a little soggy - bar and Gun Room afterwards.
“Well done to all our members who took part or spectated - Acting Commodore Tim Vaughan and Club Manager Darren Hopley were very relieved to find themselves part of a crowd rather than the token two swimmers.
“Big shout out to the Dart RNLI crew, Dart Harbour Authority and the Coastguard - all of whom were there on the day to provide on the water support.”
Dartmouth Coastguards said two of their teams were out on patrol and kept a “watchful eye” on New Year’s Day swimming events in the area, alongside Dart RNLI Lifeboat.
A coastguard spokesperson said: “Lots of people were bravely taking the plunge into the cold water, some for charity and good causes and many just for the fun of it! Well done to all those who took part. The events were well organised and all passed safely without incident and were thoroughly enjoyed by all concerned.”
Everyone had such a great time Dartmouth Yacht Club has already started to advertise a repeat of the event for next year - on January 1 2023.
Lots more photos in this week’s paper!