Wild Dookers make a splash in Cullen,Keith and Banff
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A SOLO dip in the sea to relieve the stresses of lockdown has mushroomed into a social network of wild swimmers.
Childminder Emma Williams (33), from Keith, had found herself becoming more anxious during the pandemic and successive lockdowns.
She had read about the benefits of wild swimming and decided to take the plunge.
Very quickly she had friends and family keen to join her and a group, Wild Dookers, was created on Facebook.
"I decided to do it for my own mental health," said Emma, "and it grew arms and legs."
"I found it helped me and I knew so many people were struggling, so I decided to share it with as many as I could."
The group currently meets twice a week, with swims at Cullen and Banff. The time depends on the tides and Emma posts these details each week on the Facebook page.
"We go out once during the week and either a Saturday or a Sunday. Over the summer we are looking at some other locations for wild swimming."
Among the group are a man who has a stoma bag and never thought he would ever do something like this, and another member who is running 40 half marathons for his 40th birthday year for a mental health charity and uses the swims for muscle recovery.
Anyone who would like to join the Wild Dookers can find out more at their Facebook page.
