PICTURES: Dozens brave freezing waters for Cullen Boxing Day Dook
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DOZENS of hardy souls braved the sea at Cullen to take part in a fundraising Boxing Day Dook.
Organised by the Wild Dookers group, the event was part of a year-round drive to raise cash for Latnem, a charity which offers peer support for mums and birthing people.
Emma Williams, who founded Wild Dookers, said she was very pleased with the event despite a change of venue being forced on the intrepid swimmers.
She said: "We had to change venue from the beach to the harbour as the sea conditions would've made it dangerous for the dookers.
"It went really well and I'm pleased with the turnout. It's difficult to give an exact headcount but I'd reckon we'd at least 35 taking part. I took a temperature reading of the sea and it was 6oC – warmer than the air temperature!
"I'd like to thank everyone who came along and took part."
Ms Williams set up Wild Dookers in April 2021 after taking up the sport herself. Her inspiration was to help others with their mental health and start socialising again after the Covid lockdowns, as well as raising the profile of cold water therapy. Some of these benefits, Ms Williams highlighted, include a major mental health boost resulting from the release of endorphins which makes people feel happy. Among the other benefits she outlined were the reduction of inflammation, improved circulation, boosts to the immune system and metabolism, improved skin and hair health, and better sleep.
Since 2021, the group's popularity has really taken off.
She said: "We've got around 1600 members and typically have 30 to 40 attending each dook.
"In the winter we have a dook every weekend and in the summer, when the evenings are lighter, we have a midweek dook, too. The details of each dook are posted on the group's Facebook page."
For more information about Wild Dookers, visit their Facebook page.
BLOB For more photos from the dook, visit www.grampianonline.co.uk
