Swimmers in only red caps take the plunge in Hobart’s Derwent river as the sun rises

This article is more than 2 years old

This article is more than 2 years old

A record 1,537 people braved 7C weather to take the plunge into Hobart’s Derwent river for the annual Dark Mofo nude winter solstice swim.

The crowd dropped their towels and made a beeline for the water when the sun rose at 7.42am.



Most let out shrieks, others had a seemingly comfortable paddle.



Wearing nothing but red swimming caps they returned to shore to fire pits and white towels – in strong supply after last year’s shortage left some bare-bottomed.



“We over-ordered this time,” organiser Kate Gould said.

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Graeme Mineall, a 74-year-old who has multiple sclerosis, didn’t let a wheelchair stop him taking part.

“It’s just something I wanted to do, right back from the first one in 2013,” he told reporters. “It wasn’t as cold as I thought it would be. Was colder when I got out.”

Mineall was helped into the water by carers Sarah Franks and Angie Cassidy, who went into the 14C river with him.



“I think the girls might have been a bit more worried than I was,” he said when asked if there were any nerves about getting naked in front of hundreds.

“If you can do it, try. It’s worth effort. It was a marvellous experience.”

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Newcastle resident Liss Finney got down to her birthday suit for a dip on her 26th birthday.

“It was exhilarating,” she said of her first Dark Mofo swim, which marks daybreak after the shortest day of the year.

“Your skin starts burning a little bit from the cold and it’s really hard to catch your breath.”

Her tip for prospective swimmers?

“Wear your slippers on the beach for sure.”