General News
26 June, 2024
Invigorating swim
BRAVING the chilly waters, a group of keen locals swam from the Port Campbell jetty to the beach to mark the winter solstice.
![Winter solstice: Jack Matthews and Huon Glendinning leap into the frigid water for the Port Campbell winter solstice swim. Photo supplied by Raelene Wicks](https://wdnews-4634.kxcdn.com/img/containers/assets/news/2606-winter-solstice-swim-front.jpg/924a3005388fc64cdced3a6118d0491a.jpg)
The group – some in wetsuits, while others just in bathers – marked the occasion with the frigid swim on June 23.
What started as a last-minute winter dare more than 10 years ago has grown into a fun impromptu local event for locals game enough to brave the cold swim, with about 45 people taking part this year.
From swan dives, to cannon balls and even a backflip or two – swimmers launched themselves from the jetty.
They then had a quick swim to shore before donning warm clothing to recover from the icy water.
Attendees were invited to a bowl of hot soup at the Port Campbell Surf Life Saving Club following the swim.
![Brrr: About 45 hardy Port Campbell locals made the swim from the jetty to beach to mark the winter solstice this year. Photo courtesy of Raelene Wicks](https://wdnews-4634.kxcdn.com/img/containers/assets/2606-winter-solstice-swim-inside.jpg/e8222f4f996baadd6576634e9fdb6fe9.jpg)