Australian-Antarctic base staff join in winter solstice dives
While it might have looked chilly on the shores of Sandy Bay’s Long Beach for Dark Mofo’s solstice swimmers, spare a thought for the crew brave enough to dip into negative -1.8C waters.
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Those taking their kit off for the Dark Mofo Nude Solstice Swim in Hobart today might do well not to complain about the cold.
The hardy souls at Australian bases in Antarctica and the sub-Antarctic have endured freezing conditions and taken the plunge to mark midwinter in the world’s coldest continent.
At Antarctic research stations, a hole is cut in the sea ice and expeditioners have a quick dip in the icy waters, which right now are sitting at around -1.8C.
Mawson Station Leader Dave Roberts, says the swim is a brutal but rewarding experience.
“The shock is closely followed by a rush, which is quickly followed by a scramble to the ladder to get the hell out of that water,” he said.
“Ironically, the water is warmer than the wind chill so it’s all a bit confusing but totally worth it.”
For the sub-Antarctic Macquarie Island, expeditioners swim at both beaches, on either side of the isthmus where the weather is around a balmy 2-4C.
“Midwinter is more than just a date on the calendar – it’s the soul of the Antarctic winter,” Casey Station Leader Andy Warton said.
“It’s a time when the entire station comes together to reflect, recharge, and celebrate the bonds
that sustain us in one of the most challenging places on Earth,” he said.
“It’s also a time when we honour those that served before us, and acknowledge and thank family and friends back home for the sacrifice they are making as we live and work in Antarctica.”
The shortest day of the year is traditionally marked by an icy swim, a shared meal together,
exchanged gifts and awards to recognise what has been achieved.
There are more than 100 Australian expeditioners across the three Antarctic stations and Macquarie Island who’ll celebrate Midwinter down south. An icy plunge is central to those celebrations.
Head of Division at the Australian Antarctic Division Emma Campbell said midwinter was an important milestone and a chance for the Antarctic community to reflect.
“Nothing in the Australian Antarctic program is done in isolation. It takes a whole ecosystem of people across operations, infrastructure, strategy, people, science and more to achieve the
incredible things we do as a program,” she said.
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Originally published as Australian-Antarctic base staff join in winter solstice dives
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