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• Journal Chief photographer Simon Horn shivers after taking a dip!
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Exmouth Christmas Swim
Hundreds brave the icy depths of The Exe
PICTURES BY ALEX WALTON
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CHEERS as hundreds of swimmers raced down Exmouth beach for the annual Christmas Day swim were quickly replaced by piercing screams when those taking part hit the icy water.
Hundreds of spectators packed the beach and clamoured for the best spot along the wall above to watch from the comfort of their coats as the scantily-clad swimmers, some wearing fancy dress or Santa hats, plunged into the freezing sea.
Two divers dressed in authentic original diving suits, complete with lead boots, watched from the beach as they were unable to walk down to the water.
Deterred by the cold and the strong current, most swimmers made a dash back for dry land and warm clothes within moments of hitting the water.
Swim founder Ken Cunningham, of Littleham, said he was overwhelmed by the number of people who turned out to support the annual event.
“I never know how many people will turn up,” said Mr Cunningham, who began the swim back in the 1960s with just five friends. “I would like to thank everybody for making it such a nice day and I hope to see them again next year.”
Exmouth lifeboat deputy coxswain Scott Ranft, who has taken part for the last five years, said the atmosphere this year had been ‘fantastic’.
“When everyone was standing in a huddle for the swim to start, it was like being in a big group of penguins huddling together for warmth. Then when we hit the water, it was freezing!” said Mr Ranft.
“The Christmas swim is a really nice occasion. It gets you out of the house on Christmas Day and it’s nice to see people you know on the beach.”
The inshore and all-weather lifeboats were as usual on hand to watch over the proceedings.
Some spectators got a bird’s-eye view of the dash and splash into the water as they watched from aboard a Stuart Line cruise vessel and a number of smaller boats out on the Exe.
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VIEW A VIDEO CLIP OF THE EXMOUTH SWIM >>>
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