A chilly sunrise swim for International Women's Day

With frost on the grass and a chill in the air, we skipped down the hill from the carpark at Beckenham Place Park to join a buzz of women, and a couple of men, for a celebratory morning dip. 

Back in the autumn, as water temperatures plummeted, we thoroughly enjoyed our swim at Beckenham Place Park's purpose-built lake and swore we would return. After a winter of cold water swimming it made me smile to remember that 11 degree dip, because at 6.30am on International Women's Day, 08 March 2022, we returned for a sub 8 degree lap and a half. 

The sun was rising over the trees as we stepped into the water and began our circuit and as we turned at the near end of our lap, under clear blue skies, it shone directly into our faces. We decided then and there to do another half a lap before getting out. 

This time we both brought wetsuits, gloves, and one of us had booties to boot. We shivered in the frosty grass as we changed afterwards, exchanging jubilant words with others who had set their alarms to mark this special day. 

Thanks to the team at PTP Coaching who manage swimming at the lake and organised this morning's event.