Thousands strip naked to enjoy the icy waters for Dark Mofo’s Nude Solstice Swim

Thousands of people bared all to swim in frigid waters for Dark Mofo’s Nude Solstice Swim. GALLERY + VIDEO >>

Two thousand people stripped their inhibitions and warm clothes to get their blood pumping for a cold water swim on the shortest day of the year.

Dark Mofo’s Nude Solstice Swim attracted adults of all ages, including Dark Mofo director Leigh Carmichael, who celebrated the fun of stripping down to their birthday suit.

The morning was brisk for the brave souls who waited on the sand of Long Beach in 3C, before being given the green light to plunge into the cold water.

GALLERY: Thousands bare all in Dark Mofo nude solstice swim

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This year no one was brave enough to jump on the pontoon for a cheeky dance.

Rob Butler is celebrating 9 years of participating in the swim, and even found love through the event.

He met Kathleen Moore a couple months after the first nude swim, and invited her to join him on the next one.

Rob Butler and Kathleen Moore of Hobart. Dark Mofo 2023 Nude Solstice Swim at Long Beach Sandy Bay. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“He said to me, ‘there’s this thing called the nude swim, Do you want to do it?’ and I was like hell yeah,” she said.

Since then, the couple have started a tradition to do the swim every year while they can.

“We don’t get to do this everyday,” Ms Moore said.

“It’s the exhilaration, the anticipation, the fact that we can do it and that’s our motto, just do it.”

Rob Butler and Kathleen Moore of Hobart. Dark Mofo 2023 Nude Solstice Swim at Long Beach Sandy Bay. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Despite the temperature being colder than previous years, the couple were rocking matching white towels that said “swim nude, it’s cool.”

“Last year was warmer in the water,” Ms Moore said. “I reckon it was about 7C in the water this morning.”

Local David Warren enjoyed the atmosphere of his fourth swim, despite feeling the cold.

“It’s not something you get to do everyday and It’s a good way to wake up in the morning as well,” he said.

Mr Warren stood by a fire while in his towel and black boots after the event.

He said he loved the energy and atmosphere.

“It was a positive crowd. Very good vibes,” he said.

This year was the coldest swim for Mr Warren.

“I ran in and only got so far,” he said.

I got up to my hips and was like no, so I ran back to shore.

“I think this year was a bit too cold to get to the pontoon.”

The Nude Solstice Swim has officially marked the end of Dark Mofo 2023.