New Year's Day swims 2019

If you don't fancy one of the festive dips taking place on Christmas Day or Boxing Day, why not take to the water on New Years Day instead. There are plenty of open water swims taking place up and down the country, here are just a few.

SOUTH EAST

GAFIRS Lifeboat New Year’s Day Swim at Stokes Bay in Gosport sees thousands of supporters watch brave locals take a refreshing dip. Spectators and swimmers please arrive no later than 11:45am.

EAST OF ENGLAND

Last year the Southend on Sea dip was delayed, due to the weather, and took place on New Year's Day. However, it's back on Boxing Day as it was previously. Find out more in our list of Christmas Day and Boxing Day swims.

SOUTH WEST

The Rotary Lyme Lunge is a fancy dress dip in the waters of Lyme Bay at the Cobb Beach (1pm). The swim is in aid of the Dorchester County Hospital Cancer Appeal. Wet suits are allowed preferably with fancy dress over the top.

Head down to Newquay Harbour in Cornwall on New Years Day at 2pm for a dip in the sea in aid of Clic!

NORTH WEST

Start 2019 off by leaping into the invigorating, 'glacier-like' waters of Salford Quays. Super cool swimmers can do a 250m lap of the Uswim swim course or stay in until the swim course closes at 11.50am.

SCOTLAND

Stoats Loony Dook (see the BBC video from last year) continues its annual tradition at South Queensferry in Edinburgh. In the shadow of the Forth Bridges, dippers head out to raise money for charities while shaking off that Hogmanay hangover. All who have tickets should register at Queensferry Lifeboat Station from 10.30am on 1st January 2019. The parade will begin on the Hawes promenade from 11.15am with the first of the Dookers going into the water at the Boathouse Steps at 12.30pm.

The YeAABA New Year's Day Dook takes place at Broughty Ferry Harbour near Dundee. Registration desk opens for entries on the day at 9am (Pavillion Castle Green). Dating back to 1891, the event has never been cancelled whatever the weather. Expect around 300 dookers and some 3,000 spectators with not just swimming on offer but music and dancing.

Organised by Helensburgh Lifeboats, the New Year Swim at Rhu Marina, on the north side of the Firth of Clyde, starts at midday. Part of the annual calendar, this swim originally took place at Helensburgh pier but moved to Rhu Marina.

WALES

In Abersoch, the RNLI sponsored New Year's Day Dip has a fancy dress theme. This year it's black and white! Make sure you're ready to hit the water at midday. The Saundersfoot New Year's Day Swim returns in 2019. And the fancy dress theme is yellow!

ISLE OF MAN

The Peel New Year Dip is a charity dip supporting local charities. The Peel New Year Dip will take place on new year’s day at 12 noon on Peel Beach. Sign in outside the Sailing Club.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Crawfordsburn Beach, Bangor is the place to be on New Year's Day. Shake off those Christmas excesses with a New Year dip to raise funds for Cancer Focus NI. Kicks off at 11am. Every dipper receives a free Cancer Focus NI t-shirt and hot drink after their swim.

As with all outdoor events, please make sure you check all the details before you leave home. And if you do take part in a Christmas Day, Boxing Day or New Year's Day swim, make sure you share you photos with us. We'd love to see them whether it be on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.