A big crowd of spectators and about a hundred hardy souls turned out on the beach in Brighton today for the annual Christmas Day dip.
Brighton Swimming Club decided yesterday (Saturday 24 December) to cancel their official swim after forecasts suggested potentially treacherous conditions.
An unusually high spring tide was expected to coincide with high winds, making it difficult to get in and out of the water safely.
In the end hurricane force winds battered northern parts of the British Isles while the south east was relatively unaffected.
The sea was choppy and, at 11am, dozens of people, many in fancy dress, raced into the sea.
Given the temperature, it was little surprise that many of them raced back out again within minutes.
Brighton Swimming Club members in December last year pictured by Lomokev aka Kevin Meredith.
