https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-06-22/tas-nude-swimmers-winter-solstice-dark-mofo/101172426
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The air temperature was 5 degrees and the water about 11, but that did not stop about 2,000 swimmers from plunging naked into Hobart’s River Derwent to celebrate the passing of the longest night.
Key points:
- The River Derwent plunge started at sunrise — 7:42am
- The event is held to celebrate the passing of the winter solstice, or longest night
- It marks the end of the 2022 Dark Mofo festival
The annual Dark Mofo nude solstice swim is billed as offering “renewal and resurrection” to those willing to strip off outdoors during a Tasmanian winter.
But it may have left some with more of an ice cream headache.
One participant braced for the cold by planning the best technique for the brief dip.
“I think in and out, head down, bum up,” she said.
“Or maybe bum down, head up.”
Another swimmer’s philosophy was “feel the fear and do it anyway”.
Participants gathered before first light, huddling in coats and towels before dropping their kit and running into the water en masse.
Cairns resident Temperley Eva said it was the perfect way to end the festival.
However, the chilly water was a new experience.
“Cairns does not have cold water at all … you can’t have a cold shower, it’s lukewarm at best.”
New South Wales tourists Kerry Watson and Colin Sandbach joined the swim after an internet search of the best winter activities on a trip to Tasmania.
Kerry enjoyed challenging her body and stepping outside her comfort zone.
“I’m not comfortable with being naked amongst other people but it didn’t matter,” she said.
Here’s how the winter solstice has been celebrated
Find out how the winter solstice is celebrated across the globe.
“I think I was the last one out and it was just invigorating and youthful and I don’t want to be old before my time.”
Colin loved the atmosphere and camaraderie.
“Everyone’s in a great frame of mind it’s just like a real party,” he said.
Nude swim manager Gemma Chisholm said the swim’s popularity had grown and many people had to be turned away, with tickets selling out two days after going on sale.
Mofo over for another year
The swim marks the end of the Dark Mofo festival.
The inaugural swim in 2013 almost didn’t happen after police threatened to arrest people for public indecency.
The 2020 swim was cancelled after the COVID pandemic scuttled the festival, which made a return with a shorter program in 2021.
This year’s festival began with a Reclamation Walk around Hobart, acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which the city sits.
Tens of thousands of tickets were bought by people from all over Australia, boosting Tasmania’s mid-winter tourist numbers.
AuntyUta 
Bravo to all of them…. 😀 xx
Yes, they are very brave! 🙂
🙂
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-06-22/dark-mofo-nude-midwinter-swim-2023/102506380
Thousands brave morning freeze to bare all at Dark Mofo nude swim
By Ros Lehman
Posted 3h ago3 hours ago, updated 40m ago
Nude swimmers rush into water en masse.
Red flares cast a warm glow on the nude swimmers but the air temperature was only 3 degrees Celsius.(ABC News: Luke Bowden)
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In short: Two thousand people have disrobed and dashed into the River Derwent in Hobart to mark the winter solstice with a nude swim
What’s next?: The swim marks the end of the annual Dark Mofo festival which is in its 10th year
Only the hardiest souls brave Hobart’s River Derwent at this time of year and usually in a thick wetsuit.
But there was nothing insulating the 2,000 people who ran headlong into icy waters as the sun rose at Hobart’s Long Beach, stark naked, to mark the winter solstice and the end of Hobart’s Dark Mofo winter festival.
Post-dip exhilaration for nude swim participants in red caps.
Post-dip exhilaration for the swimmers on display at Long Beach.(ABC News: Luke Bowden)
It’s the event’s 10th year and, as usual, the overnight temperature dipped to around 3 degrees Celsius but the “feels like” temperature, according to the weather bureau, was -2C.
As the start time neared, local drummers marked the approaching solstice moment of 7:42 am with a quickening beat. Red flares then heralded the time to drop towels and dash.
Side on view of a horde of swimmers rushing into water.
And they’re off.. with the gear, on with the fear.(ABC News: Luke Bowden)
It was a mix of euphoria, delight, and sheer terror as the swimmers surged forward, in a cacophony of screams and squeals.
“There’s a sense of unison because we’re all in a vulnerable state,” first-time swimmer Alana said.
“I stayed in for about a minute. It was so cold it burned,” said another.
Brisbane man Dave Abary was down for his second swim and a reunion.
“Last year I turned up not knowing anyone, not expecting to meet anyone, and just before the swim started met a couple of others and we became friends and we decided to come back to do it all again,” he said.
“I’m sure we’ll all be back again.”
Far too cold for me Yuta
I think for me too, Ivor. 🙂
“…bum down, head up…” made me giggle! 😀
I applaud them for their brave celebration! 👏 🙂
(((HUGS))) ❤️
Oh yes, Carolyn, what a celebration of life! 🙂
HUGS to you too! ❤