It has been a family tradition to go for a walk on the beach on Christmas Day, whatever the weather, since we first came to live in Cornwall when I was six years old. Yesterday, the sun shone and it was glorious! We were almost alone, with just a few dog walkers, walking on Porthtowan beach and heading, at the turn of the tide, towards Wheal Coates up on the cliffs.
As we turned to return, only the sound of the waves and the odd excited dog barking to be heard, we were astounded to see a hundred or more people had arrived while we were strolling. Then, all the more astonished to see them all race into the winter sea! 
The following video is a bit shaky – I was cold!
Choose love.
commonprose
December 31, 2019 at 4:45 pm
My grandfather, who lived very near the Long Island Sound, used to participate in “polar bear plunges” in the dead of winter. Brrr!
mybeautfulthings
January 12, 2020 at 8:45 am
Mad aren’t they all? I like the name given to the Long Island winter dips. It does seem to be exhilarating! Not for me though. 🙂
Shelagh Smith
December 27, 2019 at 12:22 pm
Awesome, and totally mad! Gotta love the Cornish. <3
mybeautfulthings
December 27, 2019 at 4:32 pm
I agree! Totally mad! 🙂
utesmile
December 27, 2019 at 11:32 am
Wow, how crazy is that…. in cold weather into the cold sea…. they all needed a hot chocolate afterwards. 🙂
Heyjude
December 26, 2019 at 11:52 pm
More of a paddle than a swim I’d say! But still very brave in those waves. I heard a lot of the boxing day swims were stopped due to the wild weather.
Nicky
December 26, 2019 at 7:36 pm
Fabulous Sally. We were in amongst those Pothtowan revellers. Exhilarating brrrr xxxx
mybeautfulthings
December 26, 2019 at 8:19 pm
Wow! Was that you with Gavin, Claire and family?! I thought I spotted Claire! xx
Nicky
December 26, 2019 at 10:00 pm
Yes it was 🎄😂🏊🏼♂️ Sorry we didn’t see you xx