Xmas Morning Dip

Esse85

I see Leo went in for a dip this morning and seems 100s more did too.
https://m.independent.ie/irish-news/taoiseach-leo-varadkar-and-partner-matt-brave-icy-waters-at-forty-foot-for-christmas-day-dip-38812516.html
It was freezing in the south east this morning, I heard Dublin was mild but still, what is it about jumping into a cold sea that's appealing?

I've never done it outside the summer season, what am I missing?

Jinglejangle69

Try it and you might find out?

touts

Esse85 wrote: »

I see Leo went in for a dip this morning and seems 100s more did too.
https://m.independent.ie/irish-news/taoiseach-leo-varadkar-and-partner-matt-brave-icy-waters-at-forty-foot-for-christmas-day-dip-38812516.html
It was freezing in the south east this morning, I heard Dublin was mild but still, what is it about jumping into a cold sea that's appealing?

I've never done it outside the summer season, what am I missing?

Some call it tradition. Others call it dodging helping to cook the Christmas dinner. If I went off for a swim this morning I'd probably have had frozen pizza fired up to me when I came back.

Attention whoring. The foundation that modern Ireland is built upon.

JohnnyFlash

ReginaldSmythV wrote: »

Attention whores. The foundation that modern Ireland is built upon.

Did one this morning in Galway. Raised 800 quid for charity. Wasn’t for the attention, dude. Was for a good cause.

JohnnyFlash

JohnnyFlash wrote: »

Did one this morning in Galway. Raised 800 quid for charity. Wasn’t for the attention, dude. Was for a good cause.

The charity is only a recent by-product.

screamer

Publi-sea-ty

paleoperson

JohnnyFlash wrote: »

Did one this morning in Galway. Raised 800 quid for charity. Wasn’t for the attention, dude. Was for a good cause.

Why would other people give money to charity just because you went swimming? That doesn't make sense mate. If they gave money to charity it was of their own accord.

Dakota Dan

JohnnyFlash wrote: »

Did one this morning in Galway. Raised 800 quid for charity. Wasn’t for the attention, dude. Was for a good cause.

Go home Yank.

Harry Palmr

Went to see one today for the RNLI, some fine women there (and some handsome chaps too!).

Hard to imagine why anyone would get the hump about this sort of thing other then to be a contrite dullard

Esse85

Harry Palmr wrote: »

Hard to imagine why anyone would get the hump about this sort of thing other then to be a contrite dullard

Some posters on here don't like it when they hear fellow posters actually leave the house and do things rather than spend all day glued to their device posting on this forum.

Large bottle small glass

Esse85 wrote: »

I see Leo went in for a dip this morning and seems 100s more did too.
https://m.independent.ie/irish-news/taoiseach-leo-varadkar-and-partner-matt-brave-icy-waters-at-forty-foot-for-christmas-day-dip-38812516.html
It was freezing in the south east this morning, I heard Dublin was mild but still, what is it about jumping into a cold sea that's appealing?

I've never done it outside the summer season, what am I missing?

We are a generation of pussies.

Exposure to 10C water for 10 mins, isn't that hard. A couple of generations of choosing ever increasing comfort/convenience seems to have done the damage.

Sea swimming year round for 4 years; cheapest drug there is. A pair of togs and a towel and off you go.

In general exposure to acute hardship seems to be generally good for us HIIT, cold exposure etc etc.

The real hardcore are the Russians who swim in rivers in winter.

JohnnyFlash

paleoperson wrote: »

Why would other people give money to charity just because you went swimming? That doesn't make sense mate. If they gave money to charity it was of their own accord.

They did it because I asked them to donate money, and because they probably wanted to see a picture of Flash in his speedos launching himself off a diving board in Galway.

A local charity now has 800 quid extra; I had a a great old time, and the bonus is that the idea of doing something like this really appears to annoy the sort of people who complain about stuff like this on Boards.

All good, dude.

Fair play to those swimmers. I mean the charity aspect is good, yeah, but they are triggering some amount of bitter cúnts on Boards on Christmas day

Esse85

Fair play Johnny Flash, good on you.

voldejoie

Only on boards would you find people complaining about something that doesn't affect them in any way and is a tradition for a lot of people that raises money for charities and local causes at Christmas. :rolleyes:

Snow Garden

It's a great atmosphere in Salthill. It really makes Christmas morning special. You won't see better banter, chat and goodwill anywhere else.
It is cold but you feel so warm and alive afterwards. Magic.

FFVII

Go out and do it tomorrow and don't tell anyone

SpodoKamodo

FFVII wrote: »

Go out and do it tomorrow and don't tell anyone

Plenty of people do. You just don't hear about it....

Spanish Eyes

Diving into a very cold sea can induce a heart attack. Beware. A former colleague died doing this a few years ago too at the Forty Foot. RIP

But having said that many do survive and tell the tale. Cannot understand why they don't just give to charity without mentioning the awful cold shivering plunge just the same!

Snow Garden

SpodoKamodo wrote: »

Plenty of people do. You just don't hear about it....

A lot of people go swimming on New Years Day too. Several people in Salthill do it all year round.

The real test is actually late February, early March when the sea temperatures are lowest.

Graces7

Harry Palmr wrote: »

Went to see one today for the RNLI, some fine women there (and some handsome chaps too!).

Hard to imagine why anyone would get the hump about this sort of thing other then to be a contrite dullard

Wonderful phrase; although not much contrition!

There is a shore inlet near Kenmare, Kerry where a local lady pub owner has a dip every single day.. Shivers!

Snow Garden

Spanish Eyes wrote: »

But having said that many do survive and tell the tale. Cannot understand why they don't just give to charity without mentioning the awful cold shivering plunge just the same!

It's 10.8C - it's doable like.

Major health benefits in cold water immersion.

Spanish Eyes

Masochists the lot of them, or attention seekers.

Do what you want but forget about your efforts at making me and others who like central heating and our comforts feel inadequate. But in fairness it is a clique anyway.

FFVII

Snow Garden wrote: »

It's 10.8C - it's doable like.

Major health benefits in cold water immersion.

Yea, who told you that?

What else were they selling?

McCrack

Spanish Eyes wrote: »

Diving into a very cold sea can induce a heart attack. Beware. A former colleague died doing this a few years ago too at the Forty Foot. RIP

But having said that many do survive and tell the tale. Cannot understand why they don't just give to charity without mentioning the awful cold shivering plunge just the same!

Cardiac arrest you mean to say

Yes it can happen but so can a lot of bad things

Spanish Eyes

McCrack wrote: »

Cardiac arrest you mean to say

Yes it can happen but so can a lot of bad things

Whatever, if your heart stops it stops, the medics can decide on the nomenclature for the Death Cert.

Diving into the sea in Ireland Winter or Summer is great for those who enjoy it, but it will never be something that I think will enhance my own enjoyment of life. Shivering at the thought of it!

Each to their own though, no doubt.

Snow Garden

FFVII wrote: »

Yea, who told you that?

What else were they selling?

Why don't you Google "swimming in cold water health benefits" and tell me what you learn about the physical and mental health benefits.

Spanish Eyes

Snow Garden wrote: »

Why don't you Google "swimming in cold water health benefits" and tell me what you learn about the physical and mental health benefits.

FGS it is Christmas night, we are in post prandial enjoyment. Tell us all about it so.

tabby aspreme

I would think Regies post,RE Attention Whoreing was referring to Leo, I did a few Christmas swims and the worst part of it was cold feet, for hours afterwards

Snow Garden

Spanish Eyes wrote: »

FGS it is Christmas night, we are in post prandial enjoyment. Tell us all about it so.

Methinks you got bored arguing with your family and came on here for some satisfaction. You can google it tomorrow. Happy Christmas!

SEPT 23 1989

Perfect day in Sandycove for a swim

There wasn’t a breeze

Spanish Eyes

Snow Garden wrote: »

Methinks you got bored arguing with your family and came on here for some satisfaction. You can google it tomorrow. Happy Christmas!

Ah that is such a lovely sentiment. Thank you. But not getting the positives from you about freezing your noks off in the December sea either. Maybe you can work on that aspect.

There is absolutely no need to be so personal. At ALL. night night snowflake of the year. lol. Let's keep it lighthearted anyway. :P

JupiterKid

It was a dip in the hotel pool for me earlier today. Granted, not as Baltic as the Irish Sea ... but a little chilly at 11am nonetheless.

Merry Christmas all!!

Esse85

Esse85 wrote: »

I've never done it outside the summer season, what am I missing?

Its a wonderful hang over cure. We do it on new years day religiously.

Padre_Pio

JohnnyFlash wrote: »

Did one this morning in Galway. Raised 800 quid for charity. Wasn’t for the attention, dude. Was for a good cause.

We had over 100 swimmers this morning raising money for the hospice. Definitely got a few thousand for their effort.

Great craic, a nice social event on Christmas morning and a few hot whiskeys after to warm the bones.

Obvious Desperate Breakfasts

How do people do that? I don’t even like going into cool water on a scorching day. I start hyperventilating if the shower water goes cold. I just don’t know how people do it or why they would want to. I’m sure it’s invigorating but it’s not worth it to me.

ReginaldSmythV wrote: »

Attention whoring. The foundation that modern Ireland is built upon.

Maybe but here’s a clip of same from 1980. Seems like it’s been popular for a long time.

https://www.rte.ie/archives/exhibitions/922-christmas-tv-past/287755-christmas-day-swim-in-dublin-1980/

ILoveYourVibes

Its not that cold today. Plus there are health benefits. People enjoy it etc.

arybvtcw0eolkf

For the first time in years I couldn't do it, or much else this morning (orders from my daughter to be here for Christmas brekkie, my son has bought his own house so she makes these times an occasion now).

I usually do it for Reheny (Dublin 5) hospice and whether you think its silly or not its for a very good cause and charities up and down the country are up the few quid heading into the new year.

I do a lot of open water swimming throughout the year so its really not such a big deal for me (there's a great app called 'Magic Seaweed' which will give you your local sea stats, temps, swells etc).

Taking people outside of their comfort zone so the less well off charities benefit, fair fvcks to you all.

Melania Frump

I went for two dips today.
Carrot in hummus for lunch.
Pringles in salsa later on.
Whats all the fuss about?

AllForIt

I think Leo is out of the bf's league in the physique department.

“So what first attracted you to the millionaire Paul Daniels?”

ILoveYourVibes

AllForIt wrote: »

I think Leo is out of the bf's league in the physique department.

“So what first attracted you to the millionaire Paul Daniels?”

Come on Leo is NO where near as hot as Paul Daniels!

Hatshepsut

Well I'll tell ye all why I do the Christmas swim every year in Lahinch (my about 20th one this year). I have lots of reasons. Firstly it was something my dad always took me to, as a good feeling thing to do at Christmas- I swam and he chatted to lots of friends and neighbours all gathered. He's dead now so I like to continue our family tradition and I feel close to him while doing it. Secondly I think of all the people - friends and family long dead and all the people who can't- incapacitated or ill in hospital who'd only love to have their full faculties but don't and I do it because I'm so lucky to be in my full health and can. Thirdly I meet friends every year at the swim I don't see all through the year and we're delighted to meet up and wish each other a happy Christmas in the water, embrace etc. It's also a great cure for all the excesses of Christmas eve - good and drink!!! And most importantly we collect and fundraise for very worthy charities every year - today was Sláinte an Chláir - a wonderful and much needed cancer support charity.
I thoroughly enjoy it every year, gives you a great appetite for the bird and everyone you meet is in flying form, plus it gives the Mammies a welcome hour or two of peace in the house before the madness of the dinner and timing of all the saucepan ensues.
I hope everyone has had a peaceful & relaxing day today- Happy Christmas to you all

paleoperson

paleoperson wrote: »

Why would other people give money to charity just because you went swimming? That doesn't make sense mate. If they gave money to charity it was of their own accord.

I imagine that swimming in the cold ocean introduced a fundraising aspect which is pivotal. People could try just randomly calling around to their friends and asking them to donate money to charity instead, I wonder how that would go.

Ipso

Must be fierce shrinkage.

Graces7

Great post; thank you!

Hatshepsut wrote: »

Well I'll tell ye all why I do the Christmas swim every year in Lahinch (my about 20th one this year). I have lots of reasons. Firstly it was something my dad always took me to, as a good feeling thing to do at Christmas- I swam and he chatted to lots of friends and neighbours all gathered. He's dead now so I like to continue our family tradition and I feel close to him while doing it. Secondly I think of all the people - friends and family long dead and all the people who can't- incapacitated or ill in hospital who'd only love to have their full faculties but don't and I do it because I'm so lucky to be in my full health and can. Thirdly I meet friends every year at the swim I don't see all through the year and we're delighted to meet up and wish each other a happy Christmas in the water, embrace etc. It's also a great cure for all the excesses of Christmas eve - good and drink!!! And most importantly we collect and fundraise for very worthy charities every year - today was Sláinte an Chláir - a wonderful and much needed cancer support charity.
I thoroughly enjoy it every year, gives you a great appetite for the bird and everyone you meet is in flying form, plus it gives the Mammies a welcome hour or two of peace in the house before the madness of the dinner and timing of all the saucepan ensues.
I hope everyone has had a peaceful & relaxing day today- Happy Christmas to you all

Edgware

Melania Frump wrote: »

I went for two dips today.
Carrot in hummus for lunch.
Pringles in salsa later on.
Whats all the fuss about?

Did you dip the Missus?

Great way to start the day. Wakes you up and blows off the cobwebs if you've been having a few too many pints in the lead up. You feel great afterwards. I highly recommend trying it in a more secluded spot. I sometimes go to Killiney beach.

Snow Garden

Hatshepsut wrote: »

Well I'll tell ye all why I do the Christmas swim every year in Lahinch (my about 20th one this year). I have lots of reasons. Firstly it was something my dad always took me to, as a good feeling thing to do at Christmas- I swam and he chatted to lots of friends and neighbours all gathered. He's dead now so I like to continue our family tradition and I feel close to him while doing it. Secondly I think of all the people - friends and family long dead and all the people who can't- incapacitated or ill in hospital who'd only love to have their full faculties but don't and I do it because I'm so lucky to be in my full health and can. Thirdly I meet friends every year at the swim I don't see all through the year and we're delighted to meet up and wish each other a happy Christmas in the water, embrace etc. It's also a great cure for all the excesses of Christmas eve - good and drink!!! And most importantly we collect and fundraise for very worthy charities every year - today was Sláinte an Chláir - a wonderful and much needed cancer support charity.
I thoroughly enjoy it every year, gives you a great appetite for the bird and everyone you meet is in flying form, plus it gives the Mammies a welcome hour or two of peace in the house before the madness of the dinner and timing of all the saucepan ensues.
I hope everyone has had a peaceful & relaxing day today- Happy Christmas to you all

You capture it very well. Its one of the highlights of Christmas for me. Long may it continue.