Swimmers began to arrive at the pools as early as 6am, with the event formally starting at 6.30am ahead of sunrise at 7.06am.
The dip was initially meant to be held on Friday morning, but was postponed by 24 hours to allow for the weather to improve.
Event organiser Beckie Duquemin, who was one of the first in the water, said the brief postponement had been worth it.
‘The sunrise was absolutely gorgeous, we couldn’t have wished for a better morning.’
As an all-year-round sea swimmer, she said she did not find getting into the water too challenging, and was impressed at her fellow participants’ commitment to wearing loud tights.
‘The early start is the hardest part for most but once you’re in it’s fine, as the sea temperature is about 17C. Everyone has been saying it’s lovely, and I’d say 90% of people have been wearing tights, which is great to see.’
She hoped the event would raise more than £1,500 for the charity, with those taking part asked to donate £10.
Swimmers were happy to be raising money for a good cause.
Nadia Newton, who swam at the charity’s last sunrise swim two years ago, had been eager to support Mrs Duquemin, her next-door neighbour.
‘Beckie has done a great job putting this on, I’m glad the weather has been favourable, and there’s a real buzz among everyone,’ she said.
Friend Liz Stonebridge, who had been down at the pools since 7am, added that the only appropriate way to kick off the swim had been to jump in from the pools’ diving board.
‘It’s for such an important cause so I felt I had to start it off in style,’ she said.
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