Boxing Day Dip, Redcar - Dec 2002
Every Boxing day (26th December) in the old Victorian seaside resort of Redcar on the North East coast of England people take to the sea for a chilly dip to raise a little money for charity.
Without any pressure whatsoever from my sister, my brother in law Simon braved the cold winds, horizontal rain and icy waves of the North Sea to join the prestigous few.
RNLI Lifeboats and RIBs patrol Redcar beach to keep things safe. The water is shallow, but dangerously cold sometimes with difficult undercurrents.
Redcar beach was once a victorian seaside resort, though i doubt it was ever that popular in December.
Simon mentally preparing with other 'dippers'.
The first mad rush into the water. A lot of screaming and uuuughh ohhh ughhh! type noises!
Simon thoroughly refreshed after the dip
The crowds head back for well deserved fish and chips. Well at least that's what I'd do if I were them. Fish and chip shops in Redcar are particularly good.
A piper leads the mayor, mayoress of Redcar along with the 'dippers' to the chilly North sea.
It all looks a bit too chilly for me.
Here's my Dad telling Simon that next year maybe he will give it a go... maybe...
I grew up on Teeside and lived in Redcar as a small boy, but never really got to used to the biting icy wind that blows off the North Sea.
