'Cold and breezy but lots of fun...' Swimmers take the plunge in Spring Soakin' at Thurso
More than 20 intrepid swimmers took the plunge at Thurso beach on Sunday in the town's first Spring Soakin'.
The event was arranged by Thurso Community Development Trust (TCDT) after plans for a New Year's Day dip were scrapped because of Covid-19 for the second year in a row.
Carol Paterson, TCDT board member and organiser of the Soakin', said that although the entry of 22 on Sunday was lower than the 130-plus who participated in the inaugural New Year dip in January 2020, it was encouraging to see people being so willing to take part in community activities again after two years of restrictions.
“We thought, seeing that we hadn't had the New Year Soakin', we would try this in springtime," Carol said. "Coming out of restrictions, we thought it would be a good time to put something on and get some of the townsfolk together.
“We've had quite a good crowd and it's just nice to see that people are going to start coming back out again.
“We're delighted to have anyone that comes and helps to support us, support our town and support our community.”
It was a day of clear skies and bright sunshine but a brisk wind meant there was a distinct chill in the air.
One of the swimmers, Sharon Dismore, said: "It was such a fun event, with lots of encouragement from the bystanders and organisers. My daughter was so incredibly proud of herself – although a bit wet and cold too!"
As she emerged from the sea, Donna Mackay said: "It was lovely and beautiful and refreshing. We've got the sun – all I needed was a pina colada!"
Susan Andrew said: "It's cold and breezy but lots of fun. It's so social – everyone chats to each other."
A couple of swimmers showed their support for the people of Ukraine – through a T-shirt slogan in one case, and in the choice of colour scheme for another participant.
Carole Henderson was kitted out in a bathing costume comprising the blue and yellow of the Ukrainian flag and she brought a rubber ring with a handwritten message saying "Keeping Ukraine afloat".
Carole said: "I loved it. I'm normally a Sunday swimmer down at Scrabster. It's quite a nice day – the sea and the air must be about the same temperature."
Elspeth Husband stayed in the water longer than anyone else.
She said: “It was a lovely day for a swim and it was very well organised. The sea conditions were good, but that was a cold wind to come out to.”
Volunteers from Thurso RNLI, Pentland Canoe Club and Scrabster Coastguard were present to ensure the safety of everyone taking part.
Registration cost £10 for an adult and £1 for a child, and donations were accepted on the day, with all funds going towards improvements around the Thurso harbour area. The harbour toilets, operated by TCDT, are now open each day.
- Sponsorship is being invited from local businesses for Thurso’s Got Talent, being held in June by TCDT. Any businesses that would be willing to support this fun community event are asked to email info@thursocdt.co.uk – information about entries will be publicised in the local press and on social media soon.
