Trepidation, even fear, marked the faces of some of those on the beach ahead of the 95th St Clair Surf Life Saving Club Polar Plunge in Dunedin yesterday morning.
But when the time came those brave enough to take the plunge charged into the rolling waves at St Clair with aplomb.
University of Otago students Georgia Brown and Olivia Andrew — two of about 200 swimmers to take part — said they did weekly winter plunges at the beach.
The cold water dip was really good for mental health, the women said.
Yesterday, the pair recycled their costumes from the student-quarter Hyde St party in April and hit the beach dressed as cows.
Miss Brown’s assessment of the conditions was hard to believe.
"It’s quite nice", the marine science and zoology student said.
There were others who were costume-clad, some swimmers showed up in wetsuits, and many just wore togs.
Some bobbed in the waves for a while, others were simply in and out.
St Clair Surf Life Saving Club committee member Mark Christmas-Oliver confirmed the water was indeed cold.
But, he said, in a wetsuit it was also "surprisingly warm" compared with other days at the beach.
"Despite being cold, it’s not chucking down with rain, so a fair few people have been convinced to come down", Mr Christmas-Oliver said.
"It’s really nice. We feel we’re a big part of the community here.
"Surf lifesaving across Otago is a really, really big community.
"We really, really appreciate the support."
Hundreds of spectators lined the Esplanade to take in the show about 11.30am.
And while the Polar Plunge was aimed at raising awareness of the St Clair Surf Life Saving Club, it was also a fundraiser for the club.
"I’ve got my daughters running around with buckets, the sausage sizzle is on the go", Mr Christmas-Oliver said.
Although surf lifesaving did receive some government support, the volunteer-based organisation would put yesterday’s proceeds towards running the club, he said.
