Organisers have said this year’s Broughty Ferry dook will be the biggest ever, as the annual event celebrates its 126th birthday.
Adrenaline junkies are expected to turn out in their hundreds to make a splash on New Year’s Day, racing into the Ferry harbour’s icy waters.
And organisers have promised a day of winter festivities in the run up to the big dip to make the event extra special.
YeAABA president Joyce McIntosh said: “There’s no football on and the tide this year is very favourable. That’s why we have decided to do a bit more than usual — this is our biggest event yet.
“The dook is our biggest fundraiser throughout the year. Up and down the coast there are dooks so we need to be ahead of the game.
“We have people coming from Aberdeen, down south, and Perth so it’s a big thing.”
Events get under way from 11am with music, a carnival, highland dancers and twirlers providing entertainment ahead of the dook itself at 3pm.
Participants as young as eight and as old as 78 will follow Joyce into the water for the fundraising event.
The dook is based on a tradition started by fisherfolk who bathed in the waters of the Tay on every morning except the Sabbath as long ago as 1891.
Records from the Ye Amphibious Ancients Bathing Association (YeAABA) show January 1 was treated as particularly special, heralding in ‘Ne’er Day’, the first day of the new year, when the community congregated to celebrate together.
The dook has never been cancelled no matter the weather, even in 1989 when ice had to be smashed with pick axes to allow swimmers into the water.
It is the largest event of its kind in Scotland and raises valuable donations for a host of different charities as most dookers raise sponsorship money by taking part.
The dook has increased as size every year, and now attracts over 300 participants and 3,000 spectators.
Those taking part can compete in fancy dress contests for the best fairy, Santa and reindeer, along with the best dressed Christmas cracker.
However, anyone wearing a mankini has been barred from attending.
Joyce said: “It is a family event and we don’t think mankinis are appropriate.
“We’ve had a few complaints about them in the past so the committee took a decision not to allow them. We’re all for fun and frolics but we don’t think they’re appropriate when there are children there.”
Money raised will help the swimming club maintain its life jackets, safety ropes, boat hires and meet other expenses it incurs throughout the year.
Individual entries cost £15 but teams of eight or more can enter for £10 a head. Entrants can register online or download an entry form at yeaaba.org.uk/the-dook.
