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Boxing Day dippers: 'It livens you up'

Shirley Henry/BBC Four people looking into the camera and smiling. From left to right: A woman with tied-back brown hair wearing a blue and black swimsuit with a grey towel wrapped around her; a woman with light-coloured hair wearing a pink cow-print jumper and an orange camouflaged coat; a woman with brown hair wearing a pink cow-print jumper, a green camouflaged coat and a red and green elf hat; and a man wearing a black t-shirt that reads "The Jolly Boaters Outing. Bridlington July 2024". He is also wearing black sunglasses and a red and white Santa hat. Shirley Henry/BBC
Swimmers carried on the Boxing Day tradition despite concerns about water quality at Bridlington's South Beach

Swimmers braved the cold waters of the North Sea for an annual Boxing Day dip.

They took the plunge at Bridlington's South Beach earlier to raise money for local groups supporting people with Alzheimer's disease.

Martin Jolly, who organised the event, said: "The water is very cold, but it's a dip. We go in for a social dip, a laugh and to liven you up."

The swim took place despite concerns about a poor water quality rating for the third year running.

The event attracted a number of people dressed as festive characters, including elves, reindeer and Santa.

Mr Jolly said: "When my knees go numb, I know I'm enjoying it."

Fay Gooch, who also took part, added: "It wasn't as bad as what I thought.

"It literally hits you like pins and needles, but it was good."

Shirley Henry/BBC A man in a black t-shirt wearing black glasses and a hat with foliage on. He is smiling at the camera. There is a beach in the background.Shirley Henry/BBC
Martin Jolly says the event is a good laugh for participants

Ahead of the dip, Mr Jolly acknowledged the issue of water quality.

"We do have a safety brief before we go in the water," he said. "We don't swim miles – we just go up to our knees until we go numb and then come out.

A recent investigation by the Environment Agency identified faecal matter from local seabird populations as a significant contributor to the poor water quality at the beach.

Yorkshire Water, which has sewage overflow pipes in the area, has also admitted it needs to "work harder" to reduce discharges into the sea.

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