Boxing Day Dip

The Boxing Day Dip is a charity event where people in fancy dress swim in the sea on Boxing Day. There are several such dips held around Europe, but the largest is organised by the Lions Club of Sunderland, England. Participants are expected to wear fancy dress and jump into the North Sea.

Sunderland's Boxing Day Dip

It is held at Seaburn beach, not far from Sunderland and it attracts one thousand dippers every year. Up to five thousand spectators turn out to witness the dip, including the City’s Mayor and Mayoress.

Originating in 1974 the dip is one of the oldest events in the country.

The dip of 2004 raised nearly £60,000 for charity, with several teams taking part. Some of the major donators are Ashbourn Guest House, Alexandra Plumbing and Heating, the New Clipper, CR Builders, TWR Window Frames, Ttonic, MTL Scaffolders, Print Centre, Jolly Potters, Jacksons.fact|date=September 2007

North Sea Volunteer Lifeguards' Boxing Day Swim at Whitley Bay

A swim or dip in the sea over the festive period (be it Christmas, Boxing Day, or New Year) is a traditional event for many lifeguard clubs across the UK. With sea temperatures ranging anywhere from 4°C to 10°C, the main challenge is simply to brave the cold.

North Sea Volunteer Lifeguards (NSVL) has held a Boxing Day swim every year since the club's formation in 1998, jumping in the North Sea from their base at Whitley Bay on the north-east coast of England. The event started off and continues to be one of the year's biggest social gatherings of the club, with members travelling from far distances.

External links

* [http://www.lions105ne.org/sunderland2.htm Sunderland Lions Club]
* [http://www.nsvl.org North Sea Volunteer Lifeguards]
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/wear/content/articles/2007/12/19/boxing_day_dip_2007_feature.shtml Boxing Day dip 2007 feature and pictures]

ee also

* Ice swimming
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/wear/content/image_galleries/seaburn_boxing_day_dip_gallery.shtml BBC Wear - Boxing Day Dip pictures 2006]