Kenwood Ladies’ Pond: Hundreds brave waters for annual New Year’s Day dip

Kenwood Ladies Pond New Years Day swim 2019. Pictured woolly hatted swimmers Christine and Shama. Picture: Polly Hancock (Image: Archant)

Midday saw the traditional plunge begin, and although the waters were, at around six degrees, warmer than in some years past, the women who took part were still facing chilly conditions.

Kenwood Ladies’ Pond Association (KLPA) co-chair Nicky Mayhew told this newspaper: “It was a great day to start the year. We had people coming and going, and a peak of around 150 people in the water.”

Attendees were able to dry off and enjoy homemade cakes and mulled wine.

With the distinctive Kenwood Ladies's Pond Association hats pride of place, brave New Year's Day swimmers Shane Rowles and Sara Burns. Picture: Polly Hancock (Image: Archant)

Nicky, who lives in Dartmouth Park and has been doing the New Year’s dip for 15 years, added: “It’s a treat, the only day we’re allowed to have a drink by the pond.”

Fellow swimmer Alison Assiter said: “If you go all through the year you get used to the temperatures, it doesn’t feel too bad, and was even a degree warmer than the week before!”

Kenwood Ladies Pond New Years Day swim 2019. After a dip in the 6 degree water, regular swimmers welcomed in the New Year with homemade cakes, and mulled wine. Picture: Polly Hancock (Image: Archant)

Kenwood Ladies Pond New Years Day swim 2019. Swimming in their Chapeaus Jaunes, Marion, Nerys, Mel and Tanya. Picture: Polly Hancock (Image: Archant)