Swimming in the sea at Christmas

At 32 years of age this is the first white Christmas I have ever experienced. It’s a bit of a cliché but snow changes everything and for that reason you will see every man and his dog out with their camera. When the snow first started falling in Brighton a few weeks ago I was one of many who was out with their camera. What I really enjoy shooting in the snow are the members of Brighton swimming club, as they go for their morning dip (nothing can stop them).

If you are in Brighton on Christmas day then it’s worth checking out the Christmas day swim which will take place a 11am just west of the pier, there are usually about 1000 spectators and well over 100 swimmers. Because most people are not used the cold water most of them are in and out in 60 seconds. If on the other hand you are in Folkestone (my home town) there is a fancy dress sea swim on the sandy beach on Boxing day, more info on the Lions club web site here.

I have plenty of photos of the Brighton Swimming club members in the snow, as well as the Brighton Christmas day swim and Folkestone Boxing day dip, see the pictures below, click on them to see them on Flickr. If you want to see more of the winter swimming photos then check out these Flickr sets: Snowy Swimmers, Christmas Day dip and Boxing day dip. Have a nice Christmas and happy new year, mabye I will see you at one of my talks, exhibitions or photography courses 2011…..