The 127th anniversary of the Broughty Ferry Ne’erday Dook saw hardy souls from across the area plunge into the freezing waters of the Tay.
More than 250 people, many in fancy dress, registered for the dip despite the temperatures of recent weeks.
They were cheered on by a crowd estimated at more than 2000 people, who lined the quayside at Broughty Ferry harbour.
Familiar faces among those taking part included former Dundee United footballer Dave Bowman, who said the dook was the best way to start the year.
Another of the “loony dookers” was 29-year-old Abertay University student Kevin Gardiner.
“It was amazing,” said Kevin, who lives in the Stobswell area. “Just absolutely brilliant, although it was completely freezing.
“It’s something for the bucket list — something you have to do before you die. I’ve done bungee jumping and climbed Ben Nevis and now I’ve done this.”
Kevin’s sister, Susan Banks (32), also took part.
“It was a great way to start 2011,” said Susan, who works as a nurse at the Carseview Centre. “I loved it.”To view a full gallery of photos, click here.They were joined by their friend Norrie Jackson.
“I’ve wanted to do it for a while,” said the 39-year-old. “It’s just something different to start 2011.”
The dook’s organisers, Ye Amphibious Ancients Bathing Association (YEAABA), said the event had gone swimmingly, with no one showing any ill effects.
YEAABA member Joyce McIntosh, who has been doing the dook for 30 years, admitted she would have preferred the water to be COLDER.
“It was fantastic here last week with the ice and the snow,” she said. “It wasn’t quite as icy today and the sun was actually shining. Once again it was a brilliant turnout and we’ll be back again next year bigger and better.”ArbroathDookers have created a new must-see event on the Arbroath calendar after the success of their inaugural First Foot into the chilly North Sea.
A brave contingent of around 30 fund-raisers from the town and across Angus took the plunge for Cancer Research UK and the response looks like ensuring the event will become an annual fixture.
The success of Saturday’s dook was a poignant personal triumph for organiser Alana Loudon, who lost her father to the disease, and decided the seaside spectacle was a novel way of supporting the work of the charity.
Leading by example with a Victorian-style polka dot swimming costume and hat, Alana and her team welcomed many fancy dressed dookers to Gayfield Park.
They were piped along Queen’s Drive by teenager Jack Newth and at the West Links the 18-year-old did not break stride when he marched the bathers into the waves.
With the mercury reading around four degrees the temperature was hardly tropical — but certainly a shade better than of late — and Alana said the response to the event had far exceeded her expectations.
“It’s gone fantastically well — I couldn’t be more delighted,” she said. “The response was really slow to start with and we didn’t know if we would have enough numbers, but it is great to see how many have taken part and the crowd here to cheer us on.”KirkcaldyKirkcaldy’s Loony Dookers were also out in force to brave a dip in the icy Forth.
Over 100 people signed up for the event, organised by local woman Ann Belton, and just shy of that figure waded in.
Such was the enthusiasm that one person who missed the event due to swine flu has assured Ann he will complete the challenge when he is fit.
This year, which Ann said will be her last as organiser, was in memory of her mother Anne, who died in March 2009, and who was originally from Kirkcaldy but later lived in Lochgelly. It was also a testament to every person who has to endure cancer.
She was joined in the waters by scores of others, many of whom wore pink T-shirts in honour of the Breakthrough Breast Cancer charity.
Numbers have increased from 15 in the inaugural event, with ages ranging from 10 to 60 years old, with thousands of pounds being raised to help fight cancer.
Over the years the Langtoun Loony Dook has raised thousands of pounds for charities including the local Maggie’s Centre, Rachel House, Breakthrough Breast Cancer and Macmillan Cancer Relief.
Ann revealed that it was in 2007, when she turned 50, she decided she wanted to take part in a now traditionally Scottish way to see in the New Year.
However, her mum was not well enough to travel to South Queensferry, so Ann decided she would go off the deep end at Kirkcaldy. She was joined by some friends and from there the event has taken off.
This time her sister Karen Reddington met a personal challenge to raise £1000 to get their mum’s name on Breakthrough Breast Cancer’s Challenger wall in Edinburgh.
Others also took part for their own charities, including Help for Heroes.
“There was a great bunch from Kirkcaldy Rugby Club and a group of ladies from Morrisons in Glenrothes,” she said. “Everyone was as keen as anything and the entire day was just terrific.”
Donations can still be made to www.justgiving.com/loonydook-kirkcaldy