Burghead Boxing Day Swim returns as 20 brave the plunge
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
THE Burghead Boxing Day Swim returned this afternoon for the first time in two years as 20 brave souls faced the notoriously icy plunge.
Last year's swim was cancelled after the pandemic forced the time-honoured local tradition's postponement.
However, one year on, a healthy crowd gathered at Burghead Harbour to see the 35th edition of the swim, albeit with a cap of 500 spectators.
Jamie Campbell, president of the event, was pleased to see its return.
Jamie said: "We were very pleased with how that went. There wasn't as many swimmers as we normally have but the main thing is that it went ahead and there were plenty of folk encouraging them so that was really positive.
"We're happy with the turnout. Obviously we had a lot of things to monitor. We had to monitor the amount of people that were coming down and things like that so we are very happy with how everything has come together today and I think folk just wanted a day away from covid really. We would have struggled to do it again if we hadn't done it this year."
This year's charity jump will see donations made to Burghead Christmas Lights, Burghead in Bloom, BALL Group Burghead and Burghead Community Hall.
Jamie added: "It's all for local causes so the money will stay in Burghead this year. It's been a difficult year here so we're very happy that the funds raised will go into helping the local area."
Burghead trio Stewart Mackenzie, Ray Mackenzie and Darren Taylor were one of the first groups to face the jump. The jump was a significant one for Stewart as he targets the all time record for Boxing Day swim appearances - a record that currently stands at 26.
Stewart said: "That's my thirteenth so I'm halfway there.
"I've had it set in my head since I was young that I wanted to break the record for the most swims so it's become a bit of a personal tradition for me.
"I have to be honest, of all the years I've done this, this was for sure the coldest one."
Stewart's fellow jumpers, Ray and Darren, were just grateful to get out of the water.
Ray said: "It was so cold. I just jumped in as quick as I could and I nearly landed on top of Darren."
Darren added: "I was really just trying to control my breathing. I was like 'hurry up, I'm going to pass out here', so I'm happy to have it out the way."
Martin Healer, also from Burghead, took the plunge for the first time after signing up last minute.
Martin said: "I'm absolutely exhilarated.
"I've never really had an opportunity to do it and I've never been here on Boxing Day so I just decided to do it to put something back into the village, have a bit of fun and get freezing cold."
Martin roped in Elgin local and good friend Shane Middleton to join him just ten minutes before the jump.
Shane added: "I only agreed last minute but I've got no regrets.
"I'm cold but it was good fun. I think I would do it again. I mean it's for a good cause and it has given us something to do on Boxing Day."
