Hundreds of brrr-ave and bonkers dippers have plunged into the waves at Viking Bay and Ramsgate this morning (January 1).
In Broadstairs everyone from Spiderman to nuns, a Victorian lady and Cruella de Vil rushed into the sea to help raise funds for the Children’s Liver Disease Foundation (CLDF).
The annual dip is organised by Jill and Ken Connell who ran the town’s Neptune Hall pub for 17 years.
After the plunge swimmers were invited to The Dolphin for some warming curry and live music.
In Ramsgate New Year’s Day dippers met at the Queen’s Head pub on the seafront before dashing into the waves from the main sands.
The annual event raises cash for Ronald McDonald Houses in memory of baby Joseph Brown. The Queen’s Head pub hosted the event and provides hot soup and rolls afterwards.
John and Vicki Boyle started the Dip in 2013 after they lost son Joseph in November 2012.
Swimmers at Walpole Bay also took part in a New Year’s Day swim.
Did Walpole swim go ahead as there was a seal trapped in the pool…?
Its pretty dumb taking small children into the sea at this time of year, it could cause a serious medical problem! Many years ago I remember a 16 year old lad dying of a heart attack when he jumped into a swimming pool, in the South of France! The water and air temperature were 20 degrees apart, and the shock killed him!