Fresh after a year that saw record heat in many parts of Europe, over 50,000 Dutch men, women and children plunged into icy seas for a traditional New Year swim, reviving the rite after two years of pandemic cancelation.
The event took place in 142 places around the country, but the biggest, as usual, was at Scheviningen, near the Dutch capital Den Haag. Over 12,000 took part there, plunging in at mid-day.
Although the weather was reasonably ‘warm’ at 11C (51F), the water was reported much colder.
