Swimmers brave icy waters at two New Year dips in Whitehaven

The annual New Year’s Eve Dip, organised by the Polar Bear Club, was held at the Golden Sands in Whitehaven.

The annual New Year's Eve Dip organised by the Polar Bear Club (Image: Mike McKenzie)

Those taking part were raising cash for their chosen charities, with donations on the day collected for the RNLI and Coastguard Association.

Then on New Year’s Day, rugby players from Whitehaven RUFC gathered on the Golden Sands for the annual ‘Fat Lads Dip’.

The 'Fat Lads Dip', organised by Whitehaven RUFC, was held on New Year's Day (Image: Submitted)

They were raising money for well-known Egremont rugby player, Kevin Brown, who is battling cancer, and community stalwart, Sharon Graham, who is recovering from a devastating fall at her home. A total of £440 was raised.

It was the 25th anniversary of the New Year’s Eve Dip, which was started in the 1990s by John O’Brien, Peter ‘Frenchy’ Boyle and Jake Mattinson.

A group of swimmers raising money for the MND Association at the New Year's Eve Dip (Image: Mike McKenzie)

It has grown in popularity over the years, with tens of thousands of pounds raised for various charities.

This year Mr O’Brien was sponsored for the RNLI and Coastguard Association, raising £740 in total.

Dippers dressed as minions ready to plunge into the Irish Sea on New Year's Eve (Image: Mike McKenzie)

Organisers Andrew Sloan, John O’Brien and Hazel Block thanked Tina Spedding for the warm-up, Whitehaven Harbour Commissioners and Cumberland Council for providing free parking and The Royal Standard for providing changing facilities and free hot drinks for dippers.

They also thanked Bransty Royal British Legion and Rod Eglin for providing an urn at short notice, Mike McKenzie for taking photos, Chris Hayes, mayor of Whitehaven, for setting off the event and selecting the best fancy dress, Café West for providing the best fancy dress prize and the public who take part and ‘make it a real community event every year’.

Fundraisers race towards the sea on New Year's Eve (Image: Mike McKenzie)

The New Year’s Day Dip has been held for 23 years and was started off by Andrew McCourt. The tradition has been carried on by John Bond, a stalwart and former player at the club.

A number of young players from the club’s youth section, the sharks, now enjoy taking part.

Georgia Naylor, Rachael Naylor and Elsbeth Innes completed two New Year's Day dips (Image: Submitted)

Mr Bond gave a ‘special mention’ to Rachael Naylor, Georgia Naylor and Elsbeth Innes for taking part with Whitehaven RUFC then going to Ennerdale to complete a second dip with the Arlecton Rams and Ewes rugby teams.