Hardy competitors finally break the ice for club's New Year swim event

IT HAS had to be cancelled twice already this year because of the persistent cold snap.

But yesterday at the third time of asking around 20 hardy swimmers took the plunge into the icy cold waters of Lee Dam, at Lumbutts, near Todmorden.

Following a cold night the dam was frozen and a route had to be carved through the ice for the brave swimmers willing to take a dip – but yesterday the delayed 50th New Year Swim finally went ahead.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Spectator Chris Sullivan, a member of the Todmorden Swimming Club, which organises the event, said yesterday the starting position had to be moved to a different part of the dam where the ice wasn't as thick. Canoeists and divers helped break the ice and forge a path through the ice for the competitors.

Mr Sullivan said: "We have had to cancel the swim twice before because the ice was too thick.

"It normally takes place on the first Sunday after the New Year.

"The second time we tried I don't think it was possible for people to even get up there. My dog was running on the ice and he's a big fat labrador," he joked.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Yesterday there were blue skies overhead as competitors took to the icy waters. A number of people also turned out to watch.

It was thought that when the swimmers got into the water the temperature was around plus two degrees.

The swim officially started at 2pm. Afterwards, those taking part warmed up with hot soup at the Top Brink pub, followed by the presentation of trophies to the winners.

The annual dip has become a regular feature on the local calendar. Yesterday's swimmers upheld a tradition dating back to the 1960s.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A trophy was presented to the swimmer who remained in the chilly waters the longest.

The winner was 18-year-old Dorothy Perkins, from Bradford, who stayed in the water for 10 and a half minutes.

There was not a full event last year because of fears about a lack of insurance cover for the competitors but this year organisers were determined to find a way to stage the event so all participants had to sign a disclaimer before getting in the water.

The sponsored swim is Todmorden Swimming Club's annual fundraiser and half of the money raised will go to the swimming club to train teachers for the children, and half will go to each swimmer's chosen charity.

Yesterday Ross Coates took the men's title; Sam Robinson won the women's race; Rebecca Sullivan took the girls' event and Ben Ashton was the winner of the boys' race.

Related topics: