The annual shortest-day commemorative plunge was in relatively balmy 11degC water, five degrees warmer than the air temperature experienced by those watching from the beach at the Kaka Point Surf Life Saving Club event.
Cookie Monster, aka Mike Beeby, said it was just a bit of fun and he enjoyed supporting local events.
Dr Nico van Egmond was doing his fifth midwinter swim and said it was a lot of fun and "a moment of madness”, while the Cleghorn family, of Waiwera South, decided to take the plunge this year after watching friends enjoying it so much last year.
Kaka Point Surf Life Saving Club life member Doug Henderson said 20 to 30 people usually took the dip each year.
"It’s a bit of fun and it has been going on for as long as I can remember, and I bet for many years before then.
"The club is in its 90th year and they have always hosted it,” he said.
"Back in the 1960s we didn’t have wetsuits like they have today, or proper changing sheds, so we got changed hurriedly in amongst the bushes and dashed over the beach and into the surf. But we still came here on holidays and swam in the sea even in the middle of winter — it was so cold.”
Along with the Kaka Point Surf Life Saving Club, the Riverton Midwinter Swim was also held on the shortest day, while Dunedin’s event was cancelled.
About 50 people dashed into the cold water at Taramea Bay yesterday for Riverton’s annual midwinter swim — and got out almost as quickly.
Organiser Tanya Colyer said it was great to have the community come together.
‘‘There’s three generations of us here — me, my mum and my daughter.’’
