Swimmers brave freezing waters on Christmas Day in Sutton Park

Dec 27 2010 by Andy Richards, Birmingham Mail

BRAVE swimmers faced the freezing waters on Christmas Day for the annual festive dip in Sutton Park.

More than 200 people watched as 30 brave souls dived into Blackroot Pool just after 10am, following a Christmas tradition that dates back to the 1800s.

Electrician Clint Ford, aged 30, from Great Barr, was the first man in the water this year.

“It was much harder to break the ice this year than it was last time out,” he said.

“When I was driving over the temperature in the car was -6C and it certainly felt it in the water.

“It was so cold that it actually burned on the way in, like jumping into a fire.

“I wasn’t in there long, maybe about 20 seconds, but it was well worth it. Now what I want is a drop of whisky to warm me up.”

Last year about 80 swimmers took to the icy waters for the annual swim, but numbers were down slightly this year following weeks of freezing weather.

Police officer Louise Harper, aged 30, from Great Barr, was taking part in the swim for the second year running.

“It has become a bit of a tradition now, I imagine I’ll do it next year as well,” she said.

“I don’t know why I got involved, but I really enjoy it now, it’s something different to do at Christmas.

“I’ve been trying to get my friends to do it as well, but they have bottled it this year. Never mind, I’m planning to go to the pub to recover.”