Overview
- Hundreds took part in New Year plunges across the UK, the US and Canada, with large turnouts reported at Whitley Bay, Southend and Boston’s L Street Brownies despite freezing air and snow squalls.
- The RNLI reiterated that water at or below 15C poses a cold‑water shock risk, noting UK and Irish seas typically sit near 6C–10C, and advised wetsuits, bright caps and tow floats for visibility and buoyancy.
- Guidance stressed attending well-run events with qualified lifeguards and medical teams, contained courses and reheat facilities, and urged bystanders to call 999/112 for the Coastguard rather than attempt rescues.
- Organisers cancelled or modified some swims because of forecasts for high winds, large waves and strong rip currents, as Met Office alerts and local safety advisories warned of worsening conditions into the weekend.
- The safety push follows the Christmas Day incident at Budleigh Salterton where Matthew Upham, 63, and another man went missing after reportedly entering the sea to help a woman; several others were rescued, police said, and one outlet reported the coastguard search was later called off.