New Year’s Day Dips 2023
What better way to celebrate the start of 2023 than with a refreshing dip in the sea (possibly dressed as Spiderman)?
What better way to celebrate the start of a new year than with a refreshing dip in the sea, possibly dressed up as Spiderman or Little Bo Beep? Here, we’ve compiled New Year’s Day Dips taking place across the country. Many of these events encourage fancy dress and are raising funds for incredible causes. To ensure a fun but safe winter dip, read our ‘top tips for festive dips’.
Scotland
New Year’s Day Dook, Broughty Ferry, Dundee
Location: Broughty Ferry Harbour
Time: 12pm
Price: Child £5, Adult £10
Fancy dress encouraged.
More info
Loony Dook, South Queensferry, Edinburgh
Location: Meet at the Boathouse Steps
Time: Meeting 12pm, dip takes place 12.30pm
The official event has been cancelled but regular ‘Dookers’ will be going for a dip as usual.
More info
New Year’s Day Dook, Helensburgh, Argyll & Bute
Location: Rhu Marina, Helensburgh G84 8LH
Time: Check in opens 11.30am, dip at 12pm
Price: Donations
Soup provided after you ‘dook’.
More info
Wales
RNLI New Year’s Day Dip, Abersoch, Gwynedd
Location: Abersoch Beach, LL53 7DP
Time: 11.30am
Price: Children £5, Adult £10
Participants will need to pre-register online. Fancy dress encouraged (70s and 80s theme). Refreshments provided. Proceeds go to the RNLI.
More info
New Year’s Day Swim, Saundersfoot, Pembrokeshire
Location: Saundersfoot Beach
Time: 12pm
Fancy dress encouraged.
More info
Northern Ireland
Dare to Dip, Bangor
Location: Bangor Beach
Time: 12pm
Price: £10
Fancy dress encouraged – prize awarded to best outfit.
More info
North of England
New Year’s Day Swim, Salford, Greater Manchester
Location: Dock 9, MediaCityUK, Salford Quays
Time: Registration 10.15-11.45am. Last entry will be at 12.15pm with all swimmers to have left the water by 12.30pm.
Price: Child £5, Adult £25
There will be a 250m tow float compulsory course for competent swimmers and a 100m course (tow floats not required but recommended).
More info
New Year’s Big Dip, Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire
Location: Details revealed after registration
Time: Details revealed after registration
Price: £25 for an individual, £40 for a couple; group discount for 4 persons.
Proceeds to the Poppy Appeal.
More info
South of England
Lyme Lunge, Lyme Regis, Dorset
Location: Lyme Regis Beach
Time: 1pm
Price: Donations
Fancy dress and fundraising encouraged. Chosen charities are the British Heart Foundation and Mencap alongside other charities.
More info
RNLI New Year’s Day Dip, Southend
Location: Jubilee Beach, Marine Parade, Southend on Sea
Time: Sign in from 10.45am, swim at 11.30am
Price: £25 on the day
All proceeds go to the RNLI.
More info
We’d love to see your photos taking part in a New Year’s Day Dip – share them on social media using the hashtag #swimwildandfreezing
Abigail Whyte
Abi writes swimming news stories and features for the Outdoor Swimmer website and manages the social media channels. She loves to swim, run, hike and SUP close to her home in Herefordshire. While she’s a keen wild swimmer, Abi is new to the world of open water events and recently completed her first open water mile. She has previously written for The Guardian, BBC Countryfile Magazine, BBC History Magazine and Ernest Journal.
