Chilly challenge for midwinter dippers

Record numbers braved southerly winds for the Plimmerton Kindergarten midwinter dip on Sunday.

Co-organiser Megan Krishnan said the target of $10,000 was exceeded – enough to finally finish the kindergarten’s outdoor space, which will include an area of astroturf.

Krishnan said $40,000 had been raised over the past four years.

All up the work was expected to cost the kindergarten $48,000. Work on the outdoor space will start next month.

‘‘It has been a long road to get there, but we are really thrilled,’’ she said.

She said about 450 people turned up and 130 actually dipped.

‘‘It was pretty cold with that southerly. It had a bit of a bite to it.’’

Porirua Mayor Nick Leggett and Mana MP Kris Faafoi were among the dippers.

One of the more memorable costumes was two people dressed as a camel.

‘‘Apparently it was quite difficult to dip,’’ Krishnan said.

And of course, there was no shortage of Frozen princesses.