Residents take part in cold-water dip at Southbourne

Around 70 people joined a supervised 'Beat the Blues' cold-water dip at SOBO Beach on January 18, organised by Dorset Mind with SOBO Surf Life Saving Club and Dorset Tea; lifeguards followed RNLI cold-water safety guidance.

About 70 people took part in a supervised "Beat the Blues" cold-water dip at SOBO Beach (Southbourne) on January 18. The event was organised by Dorset Mind in collaboration with SOBO Surf Life Saving Club and Dorset Tea. The swim followed RNLI cold-water safety guidance and lifeguards were on duty throughout. Organisers said the gathering had a strong community feel and aimed to change the tone around Blue Monday. Key details: - Around 70 people gathered at 9.30am on January 18 at SOBO Beach (Southbourne). - The event was organised by Dorset Mind with SOBO Surf Life Saving Club and Dorset Tea. - The swim followed RNLI guidance on cold-water safety and lifeguards were on duty. - Emma Murgatroyd, communications and fundraising manager at Dorset Mind, said the event "has a community feel" and was held to end the campaign before Blue Monday. - Participants included Julie O'Sullivan, a member of a women-only swimming group, and Poppy Parmar-Phillips, a teacher who said it was her first charity sea swim. Summary: The dip highlighted local community spirit and a focus on winter wellbeing. Organisers said they hope to grow the event in future; Undetermined at this time.