First organised sea swim of New Year in support of Mind
ISLANDERS took to the water to promote mental health in the first Guernsey Mind New Year’s Day swim.
About 400 swimmers, twice the number expected, braved the chilly waters at Portelet to welcome in the New Year.
Maddy Diligent, from Mind, said the occasion gave everyone the chance to come together on New Year’s Day.
‘It’s all about being with friends and connecting with people,’ she said.
‘Since the pandemic sea swimming has increased ten-fold. The benefits of cold water swimming are well known both physically and mentally.
‘We really want to thank the Imperial and everyone who came. We really appreciate the support. Here’s to doing it all again next year.’
Swimmers were treated to free hot drinks after the swim on the terrace of the Imperial Hotel.
After the howling winds and driving rain that ended 2022, Imperial manager Frankie Brake said they had been lucky with the change in the weather.
‘It’s a lovely day to start the New Year, and what better way to start than with a refreshing swim?’
The swimmers included members of the Swim All Seasons group, including volunteer life guard Su Duport.
‘Swimming can be great for your mental health, she said. ‘You are at one with nature and your mind is free. The boon in sea swimming was the best thing to come out of lockdown. It really helped with a lot of peoples sanity.’
Lisa Vizia agreed.
‘Its wonderful to do this on the first of January,’ she said, ‘What better way to begin than with a swim and all for a great cause. It’s a fresh start for a New Year.’
Jackie Mauger was braving the water for the first time since returning from a holiday in Kenya.
‘In Kenya it was 26C in the sea. This is a wee bit colder. I managed 12 minutes, not quite as long as the hour’s swim I managed in Kenya.’
Friends Emma Cabrelli, Vicki Martel and Julie Levy were among the last ones out of the sea. They said they had come to support the event because they were now addicted to sea swimming.
‘There is nothing like Vitamin Sea’, said Ms Cabrelli. ‘I was feeling quite poorly this morning but that swim has done me wonders. It’s the thrill of the chill.’
