Suffolk Walk: Christmas Dip in Southwold

 25/12/2022

I was waiting for this day, Christmas dip, really excited and looking forward to it. Something I wanted to do for a long time. Ever since when I was a child, seeing people jumped in cold sea on new year's day in Japan. Always my dad told me I wasn't able to do such thing, too cold and I wasn't able to 'endure' the temperature etc.  As a child, thought dad was right, I believed in what he said when I was growing up. 

Then decades past, now I am in my early 50's 😌 ( grow-up now), started dipping into cold water and have cold shower every morning. Last year (2021 christmas day) was cancelled on the Christmas day due to rough sea and breezing wind. But the most of us dipped anyway. 

Anyway, I was already getting used to the cold water, that was why I decided to go ahead with it. My first time dip with lots of people, money raised went to the charity  (https://www.eadt.co.uk/news/23208062.take-plunge-charity-swim-returns-southwold/ ) 👈Link to a local news paper article 😊

Apparently 180 dippers, plus spectators. I met some lovely people and chatted away ( with other cold water dippers considering I am introvert) , lovely doggos 🐶 , lovely waves, lovely all the way round. I really enjoyed it. 

When I dipped in, there were some people in front of me, then they got pushed by waves, then one of guys stumbled on me 🤣, I quickly swam through between people over the waves. Then I floated for a while which I love doing. I don't swim, oh, some people from swimming club were really going for it, swimming away hard 🏊‍♀️. The most of people just quickly dipped in and out, which what we were supposed to do anyway. 

 Somehow, when the body get used to sea temperature, feels ok with it. Body can quickly climatise, but if I stay a bit too long, chill comes through later, and shakes 😅. I know now these days how long I can dip for. I don't get too cold anymore, I come out before feeling like that now. 

Back to the dip, we all had a medal 🏅 and colours of strap was Ukrainian flag 🇺🇦! It was my first time ever medal in my entire life. Never had a medal before, I felt so pleased❤️ Such a memorable day for me. 

Can't wait for next one! 

By the way......found them in Southwold.... who are they? 🤔 very long hair.... can't see their faces.....😆