Swimmers fire up for winter solstice

The official Dark Mofo event was cancelled but brave swimmers still flocked to Tasmanian beaches to mark the traditional winter solstice swim. Lucy Clougher, pictured, was among a group at Taroona Beach, while another — more cheeky — swim was held in Sandy Bay.

THE winter solstice has brought out the bravest Tasmanians determined to celebrate the shortest day with a dawn swim.

The cancellation of the popular Dark Mofo Nude Solstice Swim did not deter a smaller number of swimmers from taking to icy waters yesterday. About 40 people dived in to Grange Beach at Taroona for a bathers-on swim organised by the Winter Ocean Sea Swimming Association.

When the swimmers took to the water at 7.43am, the air temperature was about 7.3C in Hobart and the apparent temperature was 4.3.

Lucy Clougher, 11, said the water was “freezing” and she only stayed in for a minute.

“It was really cold but I want to do it next year and maybe go in a bit deeper,” she said.

However, seasoned coldwater swimmer Tim Pargiter, 55, said he did not feel the cold and found the swim relatively mild.

“It was great fun. The word I would use for these cold swims is that sums them up is invigorating. It’s just magic,” Mr Pargiter said.

“I didn’t find it that cold so I just went for a little jog up and down the small beach.”

Meanwhile, diehard nude swimmers not wanting to miss out this year took an impromptu swim at Long Beach in Sandy Bay.

It was a drizzly grey day in Hobart for the solstice, with wetter conditions to continue throughout today and tomorrow, before easing on Wednesday.

The Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting widespread rainfall totals of 30-70 mm for the south and east, with possible higher totals exceeding 100mm in isolated and elevated areas.

The heaviest rain for the southeast is expected today.

A flood watch is in place for the North and North East, Huon, Derwent and South East catchments.

Moderate flooding is possible at some locations from this afternoon. Wind gusts of up to 70-80km/h will be possible at times today.