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While many may have been struggling today with their last day of 'dry January' Mayobridge women Caroline Anderson and Gillian Fitzpatrick were bucking the trend with a marathon 'wet January' completing 31 days of dips in the sea. Their 31st involved taking a splash at Sandy Bottom in Warrenpoint in an almost balmy 6.3 degrees celsius!
The previous day, Sunday 30 January was the coldest of the entire month at 4 degrees. "We couldn't believe that it would have took to the 30th to be the coldest" said Fitzpatrick.
Juggling work and tide times was no mean feat for the busy women but juggle they did ."We had to commit to do it. New Years Day I was in Dublin but I had to come back up the road. The tide was near out but we still managed to get in at the front shore." Fitzpatrick explained.
Entitled 'Dips for PIPS' the two friends are raising funds for Anderson's Camino, a fundraiser for Newry based PIPS Hope and Support. The mission was to swim every day of January and today shortly after 10am it was time to celebrate their achievement. The pair were joined at different times over the month by Teresa and Neil Caulfield.
In Memory of Sharon
Anderson completed the swim in memory of her sister Sharon Sarsfield who died by suicide eight years ago.
Out of the entire month there were only really a couple of days choppy. "The Angels in Heaven looked after us and kept the sea calm for our dips." explained Anderson.
In 2021 they both completed a fundraising dip for Rockfield Care Home where Anderson works which in turn led to them making a splash in many places around Ireland.
Both ladies firmly believe in the healing effects of cold water "You could have come down in the worst of form, got into the water, and you're coming out a new woman. I don't know what it does to you but it definitely cheers you up, it definitely does." explained Anderson.
Todays final swim on an 'almost' warm morning was out to the second pole at Sandy Bottom on the edge of Carlingford Lough, one of the most beautiful parts of the world.
The pair would definitely recommend open water swimming to anyone. Anderson explained "It's very good for your mental health. I really don't know what water does to you. I had a very upset day last year and the girls were saying come on down, and I was going no I couldn't be bothered, but I went down got into the water and came home a different woman. I really don't know what it does to you."
Now that she's done the swimming Anderson's next most pressing challenge before the Camino comes along in September ... after a nice beer in Mayobridge this afternoon obviously! ... is the 'Seven Sevens' - climbing the seven peaks in the Mournes in one day.
They both have really relished this months challenge and neither would have done it without the other.
365
Not yet dry from their last swim of January the pair have already plans to raise the stakes to 365 dips in 2022. It doesn't have to be every day or even in the same place but certainly another major challenge for the two adventurers.
If you would like to support their Fundraiser for PIPS please go to WWW.JUSTGIVING.COM
