Do not go for a Christmas swim

[.357shooter 1,444]

Poor buggers went for swim at budleigh .two missing and search called off.

[Borr 8,928]

Yep near me , far too lively , I was in Exmouth week before and it wasn't too bad , if there's waves in winter I'd leave it , I'm going in a few days time but if choppy I'll be in the river , tragic for their families, rip.

[fireman 11,647]

To be honest they were fecking idiots and careless twats for putting the rescue folks at risk looking for them, have you seen pics of the sea they went out into?.. beyond stupid..

[Blackmag 6,698]

Some  sadly underestimate the power of the sea and are clueless about the dangers like rip currents ect when I use to dig Black lug amount of times I told folk most with kids normally in the summer the tides coming in and not to go out only to be told it's ok it's all the way out there till I explained it's the gutters all around you that fill up first and cut you off from land not  the sea itself some listened so didn't but the sea conditions like they entered its madness I thought the organizers would of called it off on safety grounds 

[tatsblisters 11,355]

41 minutes ago, fireman said:

To be honest they were fecking idiots and careless twats for putting the rescue folks at risk looking for them, have you seen pics of the sea they went out into?.. beyond stupid..

Thought exactly the same mate. I don't know why anyone in their right mind would want to go into the sea like it was sheer stupidity and a daft act of bravado that's cost two men their lives. 

[steve66 4,012]

Seen some pics from the whitby dip and a fair few where in fancy dress , all looks fun but surley most absorb water and make it harder if you into difficulty 

Shame for the lads that died but as been said why would you get into rough seas like that 

[THE STIFFMEISTER 17,996]

Social media has a lot to answer for imho 

tenuous link but if it wasn’t made out to be a “national craze “ how many of these f***ing gonks would be walking up on Xmas morning , thinking “ right , might go for a swim today “ 

[mitre 531]

Shouldn't have done it unfortunately it's a sad loss for the families I think a trip to the local swimming baths when open would have been safer

[shaaark 11,694]

42 minutes ago, mitre said:

Shouldn't have done it unfortunately it's a sad loss for the families I think a trip to the local swimming baths when open would have been safer

...............

Unfortunately, wise words!!

Edited December 27, 2025 by shaaark

[fireman 11,647]

2 hours ago, shaaark said:

...............

Unfortunately, wise words!!

That's a fecking first and to be honest i had white death catching something before that happening..

[white van man 3,593]

One of my main fishing spots and I kayak there most months. You only need to go in 5 meters and you can’t touch the bottom. Most the beaches along that stretch are steep and when there’s swell then there is a fair undertow. Not to mention the river Otter that spills out at a fair speed, especially with the rain we have had. It’s a shame for the family. There were people swimming there the day after and conditions hadn’t changed much. Thought that was a bit disrespectful but each to their own. 

[Borr 8,928]

12 hours ago, white van man said:

One of my main fishing spots and I kayak there most months. You only need to go in 5 meters and you can’t touch the bottom. Most the beaches along that stretch are steep and when there’s swell then there is a fair undertow. Not to mention the river Otter that spills out at a fair speed, especially with the rain we have had. It’s a shame for the family. There were people swimming there the day after and conditions hadn’t changed much. Thought that was a bit disrespectful but each to their own. 

I agree the access at those beaches isn't great, the only iffy swim I've had was at coryton cove , had big swells which is quite fun but when it came to getting back in I had to swim hard and was knackered by the time I got back on beach lol. As for people saying they should go to local pool I think that's nonsense, but at the same time it takes a while to build up to cold water , judging conditions, wearing suitable gear , maybe using a float etc. rather than jumping in once a year wearing a Santa costume. Still if the conditions/decisions had been different, sad event but I'm sure lots of folk around the country had a great time or a refreshing one at least .

[leegreen 2,347]

21 hours ago, fireman said:

To be honest they were fecking idiots and careless twats for putting the rescue folks at risk looking for them, have you seen pics of the sea they went out into?.. beyond stupid..

Natural selection.

[mackem 31,422]

7 hours ago, Borr said:

 but at the same time it takes a while to build up to cold water .

I did it on Christmas Day,fully submerged in a river plunge pool,it was -25’ish on the ice with windchill,I dont know the water temps,one of my ladies family traditions,certainly wakens you up for the rest of the day once you recover from the hypothermia.

[Borr 8,928]

59 minutes ago, mackem said:

I did it on Christmas Day,fully submerged in a river plunge pool,it was -25’ish on the ice with windchill,I dont know the water temps,one of my ladies family traditions,certainly wakens you up for the rest of the day once you recover from the hypothermia.

How long ? I did five mins in 4°c and that was plenty lol