A splashing start to 2020 at Thurso community dip
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THE first New Year's Day dip in Thurso proved to be a splash hit – and it is now set to become an annual event.
About 120 people took the plunge at the town's beach and together raised more than £2000 towards improving the harbour area.
Those taking part in the inaugural New Year Soakin' ranged from young children to pensioners. Some wore swimming costumes and others donned fancy dress as they ventured into the calm but chilly waters of Thurso Bay.
A crowd estimated at well over 400 gathered to watch.
Carol Paterson, treasurer of Thurso Community Development Trust, helped to organise the dip and said it had been "absolutely fantastic".
She said: “When I was walking along the esplanade I couldn’t believe how many people had turned out."
The air temperature was relatively mild for January 1 at seven degrees Celsius.
“There was a tiny breeze, but isn’t there always? It was as perfect a day as you’re going to get at this time of year," she said.
"I’m just amazed at how many people turned up. I can’t get over it."
Online entries were being taken up until 10pm on Hogmanay, with many others registering on the morning of the event. Most of the intrepid bathers managed to stay in the sea for a few minutes.
There was a strong emphasis on safety. Members of the Thurso lifeboat crew were out in the bay along with kayakers from Pentland Canoe Club, with Scrabster coastguard on the shore.
We’re just trying to get a bit of community spirit back in the town.
The top priority in terms of funding will be the toilet block at Thurso harbour. The trust took over the lease of the toilets last year after they were closed by Highland Council.
“We’re definitely looking to do that up before the start of the summer season," Carol explained. "There are other things we have in mind too.
“We did Thurso’s Got Talent, and for the life of me I didn’t ever imagine it was going to be the success it was. That was our summer event, and following the success of that I thought we needed a winter event.
“We’re just trying to get a bit of community spirit back in the town, trying to get people back together.
“Today’s event was absolutely fantastic. People then came down to the community café for refreshments and it was nice to see them.
“This will definitely be an annual event and hopefully next year we’ll get 150 people in the water."
Carol said the whole day had been a great example of community spirit.
"Thanks to everyone in the town who supported it, and also we had visitors who were doing the North Coast 500 who actually came and joined in. Thanks to the safety personnel too, and all the hotels and cafés who made food donations to us.
“And I would like to thank all the volunteers that came along and helped us. Without the admin team and the girls who worked in the café we would never have managed. The volunteers have been fantastic.
"Everyone has shown great generosity."
