South West Atlantic Mid-Winter Swim

(S.W.A.M.S.)

On the nearest Saturday to the southern hemisphere mid-winter, something strange occurs each year. The population take it into their heads to take a swim in the very chilly waters of the South West Atlantic...

The event takes place at Surf Bay, some 4 or 5 kilometres east of the Stanley. Dead on 11.30pm, Saturday June 22, 2008, a very loud explosion occurs (provided courtesy of Explosive Ordnance Detachment of the Royal Engineers). Then all hell is let loose, as every participant races to the water, all wishing to be the first in. Once in, all wish to be the first out......

Maybe, they have all been smoking something they shouldn't have, but who cares....! It's a fundraiser for local charities, and this year it was for the Lighthouse Seamen's Centre and the T.S. Endurance.

As you will see in the images, this event is for the very hardy (or for the lunatic) fringe of our population.

After the dip, refreshments hot and otherwise were on hand for these very brave individuals.

Mid-winter lunacy is alive and well in the southwest Atlantic - 260+ take the plunge

More people than ever before braved the icy Atlantic at Surf Bay on Saturday, at what has become an annual fundraiser.

On the command given by Civil-Military Liaison officer, John Maskell-Bott and given an extra boost by a big bang from EOD, promptly at 11.30am more than 260 Mid-winter loonies charged for the water,

Zulus, post men, tin men, penguins and elegant cross dressers were all represented in the crowd that hared across the white sand of Surf Bay, to hurl themselves, however briefly, into the surf.

No Falklands beach has ever seen so many bikini-clad bodies, even if a good percentage did belong top Her Majesty's Forces.

Whether to the rescue the over adventurous, or just to get a better over view of this rare sight, a yellow air-sea rescue helicopter hovered overhead and enhanced the entertainment for the less adventurous spectators.

The two charities which annually benefit from this outbreak of madness are the Lighthouse Seamen's Mission and the Sea Cadets.

A meal for two at the Falklands Brassierie is up for grabs for the person who collects the most sponsorship by July 25th.

Kindly reproduced from Penguin News issue V20, No 07