Authorities Try To Crack Down on Christmas Polar Bear Swim
One thing that many people like to do during the holiday season, and whenever it gets cold, is jump into a large body of water around them for a Polar Bear Swim.
But for the folks in Brighton this year, the state was trying to put a stop to one of those annual cold dips recently.
A council in Brighton is attempting to prevent those in the community who want to engage in the tradition, from jumping into the water for a festive dip. They cite safety and health concerns as their reasons for trying to stop members of the community from doing what many people around the world have done, without protest, for many years now.
I remember when I was young and going to summer camp, that they would incorporate polar bear swims into the activities. I have seen these events take place many times in a number of communities, sometimes even being used for charity fundraisers, but I've never seen the state try to stop or prevent them from taking place.
Ever year there are hundreds of people in Brighton who engage in this tradition, but the Brighton and Hove City council are concerned about the possibilities of hypothermia and they want to intervene now with the tradition.
They've tried to hamper the celebration by closing-off access to the beach and pier.
Critics have fired back at the efforts, saying they are misguided and that they will be unlikely to succeed. They've even suggested that the move might be counter productive to health, mentioning that there are many doctors who've previously admitted to the benefits that can be associated with swimming in the sea.
Pics:
Geoff Lister/The Ubyssey
Pixabay
sources:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/12/24/council-tries-tape-sea-stop-christmas-bathers-having-dip/
http://www.comoxvalleyrecord.com/news/407798226.html
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/brighton-close-pier-sea-stop-swimming-sea-hypothermia-a7494256.html
Check out cold water therapy. In the right amount is helps other things like circulation.
Once you take the free out of freedom the only thing left is dom, pronounced "dumb."
As long as you are fit and healthy and don't spend too long in the water it should be OK. There are even suggestions that slowly building up cold water exposure may help raise brown fat levels which is generally beneficial. That said I'm sure some people have probably done this without using their common sense - hence this situation. I don't think you can legislate against stupidity.
I for one applaud the state for doing everything it can to keep us safe from ourselves. The state knows best.
Excellent post dear friend @doitvoluntarily congratulations
May these feast receive you full of family and friends, full of peace, health, love and happiness
Merry Christmas
Nice post friend
Personally I don't like swimming in cold water, but I can't see why people who have fun taking part in a tradition, should be stopped doing it.
has anyone actually been injured or made ill by this?
from my personal experience and research this is something that actually benefits the body.
sounds to me like the state trying, once again, to enforce it's uninformed opinions on free people.