Winter solstice swimmers take to Hobart beach
A handful of hardy Tasmanians have kept the solstice swim tradition alive. SEE THE PICTURES >>
Tasmania
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THE winter solstice in has brought out the bravest Tasmanians determined to celebrate the shortest day with a dawn swim.
While the Dark Mofo Nude Solstice Swim has become an iconic Hobart event, the cancellation of the festival did not deter a smaller number of swimmers from taking to icy waters.
Around 40 people dived in to Grange Beach at Taroona for a bathers-on swim organised by the Winter Ocean Sea Swimming Association.
When the swimmers took to the water at 7.43am, the temperature was around 7.3 degrees in Hobart and the apparent temperature was 4.3 degrees.
Lucy Clougher, 11, said the water was “freezing” and she only stayed in for a minute.
“It was really cold but I want to do it next year and maybe go in a bit deeper,” she said.
However seasoned cold water swimmer Tim Pargiter, 55, said he did not feel the cold and found the swim relatively mild.
“It was great fun. The word I would use for these cold swims that sums them up is invigorating. It’s just magic,” Mr Pargiter said.
“I didn’t find it that cold so I just went for a little jog up and down the small beach.”
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Meanwhile, diehard nude swimmers not wanting to miss out this year took an impromptu swim at Long Beach in Sandy Bay.
It was a drizzly grey day in Hobart for the solstice, with wetter conditions to continue throughout Monday and Tuesday, before easing on Wednesday.
The Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting widespread rainfall totals of 30-70 mm for
the south and east, with possible higher totals exceeding 100mm in isolated
and elevated areas.
The heaviest rain for the southeast is expected on Monday.
A flood watch is in place for the North and North East, Huon, Derwent and South East catchments.
Moderate flooding is possible at some locations from Monday afternoon.
Wind gusts of up to 70-80km/h will also be possible at times on Monday.
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