Amid the festive cheer and lively celebrations at Brighton beach, where hundreds gathered for the annual Christmas Day swim, Brighton Hove Council issued a cautionary message. With the event’s growing popularity, the council’s Seafront Officers have called for increased awareness of the risks associated with winter sea swimming.
The festive event, which saw participants donning Santa hats and elf costumes, was a vibrant display of community spirit.
However, the council has raised concerns about the safety of such activities in cold water. “As open water swimming has become more popular over the last few years, we are seeing more groups of swimmers gathering for winter swim sessions, It’s extremely important that those wishing to enjoy this invigorating and extreme form of free and healthy activity, fully understand the real dangers involved,” said David, a spokesperson for the council.
Despite these warnings, the Christmas Day swim went ahead, marked by an air of caution but undiminished enthusiasm.