Hundreds strip off at sunrise for mass skinny dip in the North Sea

Hundreds strip off at sunrise for mass skinny dip in the North Sea
Hundreds strip off at sunrise for mass skinny dip in the North Sea

Hundreds of skinny dippers gathered in Northumberland today to celebrate the arrival of the autumn equinox. 

More than 800 men and women of all ages stripped down in Druridge Bay to enjoy a naked frolic in the North Sea at sunrise for the ninth annual North East Skinny Dip (NEDS) this morning. 

Before the dip, participants gathered in groups on the beach and were entertained by a fire-eating dancer.

Members of the local coastguard rescue team stood by as a precaution as the skinny dippers entered the water but no medical issues arose during the dip.

The dip, which has become an annual event since it launched in 2012, takes donations and raises money for the mental health charity MIND. 

Participants in the annual North East Skinny Dip walk the beach in Druridge Bay, Britain, September 19, 2021

Participants in the annual North East Skinny Dip walk the beach in Druridge Bay, Britain, September 19, 2021

More than 800 men and women of all ages stripped down in Druridge Bay to enjoy a naked frolic in the North Sea at sunrise for the ninth annual North East Skinny Dip (NEDS) this morning

More than 800 men and women of all ages stripped down in Druridge Bay to enjoy a naked frolic in the North Sea at sunrise for the ninth annual North East Skinny Dip (NEDS) this morning

Before the dip, participants gathered in groups on the beach and were entertained by a fire-eating dancer

Before the dip, participants gathered in groups on the beach and were entertained by a fire-eating dancer

The event takes place each year to mark the autumn equinox - which this year will arrive on Wednesday. 

In 2019 more than 700 people attended, but 2020's event did not go ahead due to coronavirus restrictions.   

Organiser Jax Higginson, 43, took part herself and said she has raised over £80,000 for MIND since the event started.

Jax said: 'Everything was spectacular and it all went swimmingly. We had at least 820 dippers although the final number is yet to be announced.

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