Pictures: Fancy dress and freezing fun at Paignton’s New Years Day Dip

Brave fundraisers and festive onlookers gathered on Paignton seafront for the town’s much-loved Walk into the Sea, a charity event that has been part of the local calendar for more than 40 years.

Traditionally held on Boxing Day, this year’s walk was rescheduled to New Year’s Day after weather and sea conditions on 26 December were deemed unsafe. Organisers say it is rare for the event to be postponed, with Boxing Day having been cancelled only a handful of times in its four-decade history.

Organised by Paignton Lions Club, the sponsored Walk into the Sea sees participants don fancy dress before wading into the chilly waters of the English Channel at midday, cheered on by crowds of spectators lining the seafront. Registration opened at 10.00am, followed by a lively warm-up session led by Zoe Bowden of Offbeat Dance, ahead of the starter’s signal at noon.

This year’s rescheduled event was met with calmer conditions, with organisers describing the sea as “like a mill pond”. One participant commented: “It was a fab day and the sea wasn’t as cold as I thought it might be!”

The walk raises funds for a range of good causes, with participants able to allocate half of their sponsorship money to a charity of their choice, while the remainder supports the Lions’ chosen charities. Those preferring not to seek sponsorship were also able to register on the day for a small participation fee.

Organisers have confirmed the Walk into the Sea will return to its traditional Boxing Day slot next year, inviting even more people to take part in a festive tradition that continues to bring the community together in support of charity.