Hundreds of people defied council warnings and chilly seas to dress up and take a traditional festive sea dip on Christmas Day this year. Although the beach usually used next to the Pier had been closed by Brighton & Hove Council due to partial collapse and storm damage to the adjacent groin the enthusiastic crowds took to the wider beaches below the Fisherman’s Museum to embrace the bracing winter sea.
With blue skies, bright sunshine and the sea temperatures hovering around 7 degrees Celsius, lower than usual for this time of year, plenty of people turned out, dressed in festive speedos, bikinis and fancy dress. They took to the water with hundreds more people watching and cheering on from the beach.
There were people dressed as Santa’s, elves, snowmen, penguins and some sporting the briefest of outfits, plenty of laughter and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves.
There were no reports of any ones being hurt or any injuries from the dip.
No one group organises the Brighton Christmas Beach dip and although there are plenty of alternatives events, it continues to be popular. This year, alternatives including the heated Lido pool in Saltdean being opened for Christmas day which was attended by hundreds more people.
Well attended Christmas swims also took part in the north at Whitley Bay, Hyde Park – London and Porthcawl in South Wales.
All the photos kindly supplied by Steven Chantrey who attended this year’s Brighton beach Christmas Swim 2019 . Thanks Steven!
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