Hundreds of people to take part in Boxing Day dip in Redcar

The annual event's been organised by the Rotary Club

Author: Karen LiuPublished 23rd Dec 2023

People in Teesside are being urged take part in a Boxing Day dip to raise money for a charity of their choice.

It has been organised by Redcar Rotary Club and the annual event sees hundreds of participants and spectators.

Simon Mawson is from there and said: "Last year we had somewhere between 550 and 600 dippers which was really phenomenal. It was probably our best year. This year we may or may not achieve that sort of level. A lot of people we've found decide on Christmas Day that they're going to do it.

"We have a couple of blue Santas, there's quite a few pirates, elves, Santa Claus and we've had people in these morph suits, which is a bit of a health and safety issue. We do shout out to not have anything on their faces because as soon as you get into the water, you get that cold water shock and you automatically gasp for air.

"There's a lot of amusement around and about as an awful lot of spectators are there in the morning. It's becoming a social event for some people because we've got some dippers who've done it for many years. It could be the start of something new that's a tradition for every individual on Boxing Day and you could raise a lot of money for your own charity."

Registration is still open on their website or you can turn up on the day and sign up there.

Daniel Bedwell, the RNLI's Water Safety Delivery Support for the North and East of England, said: "Check the conditions before going in, make sure you acclimatise slowly so you don't get cold water shock. Always be seen, wear a bright coloured swim hat. If you spot someone else in trouble, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard. Never go in yourself to rescue someone. If you're that person who is in trouble then float on your back like a starfish and call for help.

"Just walk into the water slowly, splash water over yourself and don't run or dive in. Cold water shock is a big risk to people in this country. When you get cold water shock, your muscles begin to seize up and you begin to hyperventilate which obviously isn't a good thing if you're in the water.

"Cold water in this country is considered anything below 15 degrees and this time of the year it's roughly 10 or nine degrees. If people were to enter the water too quick, your heart rate would begin to increase, your muscles begin to seize up and you'd hyperventilate. We've had people drown just metres away from safety."

Find out more on the RNLI website.

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