Fearless festive swimmers took the plunge across Britain today, embracing the chilly Christmas Eve tradition despite temperatures set to drop dramatically over the holiday period.
Brave Geordies donned red bathing suits and Santa hats before diving into the North Tyneside waves, while hundreds of courageous individuals gathered at Helen’s Bay in County Down for their annual dip.
The Northern Ireland event, organised by open water swim group Helen’s Baywatch, drew an estimated 500 swimmers with a further 500 spectators cheering from the shore.
Now in its 29th year, the festive swim saw participants race into the cold waters of Belfast Lough at 11am, many sporting Santa hats, tinsel and elf ears.
The Santa Splash kicked off with carol singing and bell ringing before local fitness coaches Eamon Swail and Calvin Brennan led a warm-up session to get everyone ready for the icy waters.
This year’s event raised funds for two worthy causes – Dementia Northern Ireland and Air Ambulance Northern Ireland.
Environment Minister Andrew Muir was among those taking the plunge, describing the experience as “reinvigorating for body and mind” and a brilliant way to kick off Christmas.
Mayor of Ards and North Down Gillian McCollum and former Irish rugby international Trevor Ringland also joined the swimmers.
Fearless festive swimmers took the plunge across Britain today, embracing the chilly Christmas Eve tradition despite temperatures set to drop dramatically over the holiday period
|
PA
Some braved the north Tyneside waves
|
PA
Yellow weather warnings have been dished out across the UK for gusty winds and cold temperatures
|
PA
While most participants only stayed in the water briefly, some dedicated swimmers kept going for a full 20 minutes.
Swimmers travelled from as far as Enniskillen, Portadown and Ballymena to take part.
Their enthusiasm came as forecasters warned of plunging temperatures and gusty conditions ahead.
The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for strong winds covering much of south west England and Wales, running from 4am until midnight on Christmas Day.
Forecasters expect east to north-easterly winds to become particularly powerful and gusty throughout the day, with gusts widely reaching 45-55mph.
Hundreds turned out for the tradition in County Down, Northern Ireland
|
PA
Some could be seen in Santa outfits as the festive cheer was rife
|
PA
Exposed coastal areas and spots west of prominent hills could see even stronger blasts of 55-65mph.
The warning notes that the unusual wind direction may cause some disruption to transport and power supplies.
Large waves will pose an additional hazard along some coastlines, meaning Christmas Day and Boxing Day swimmers could face challenging conditions.
Met Office spokesman Oli Claydon said high pressure is now firmly in control of UK weather, bringing settled but cooler conditions than recently.
The UK Health Security Agency has also issued a yellow cold health alert running from 6pm on Christmas Day until noon on December 27 for south west England.
An estimated 500 swimmers and a further 500 onlookers travelled to Helen’s Bay
|
PA
Officials warned that low temperatures could put extra pressure on health and social care services, with vulnerable people facing greater risks.
Overnight temperatures are expected to plummet below freezing across much of the country, with northern Scotland potentially hitting -5C and rural Wales dropping to -4C.
Met Office meteorologist Becky Mitchell said it will “feel more like freezing” from Christmas Eve onwards once wind chill is factored in.
Many Britons will wake up to a frosty Christmas morning, though forecasters say a white Christmas remains highly unlikely.
The only slim possibility of snow lies over Dartmoor if afternoon showers push into Devon and Cornwall.