How did you spend your boxing day? Were you taking out all the Christmas rubbish, or recovering from the night before? Did you eat some turkey sandwiches and spend the day relaxing? Perhaps. How did I spend mine, you ask? Well, I completed my first-ever boxing day dip.

When it comes to boxing day dips, I think I’ve heard every line in the book. ‘Oh, that could not be me’, ‘No, those people are crazy’, and ‘why would anyone want to do that’ are the dismissive phrases that come to mind.

For a long time, those were my beliefs too. I would never have dreamed of taking time out of boxing day to run into the (freezing cold) ocean and be unable to feel my toes for the following hours just for the fun of it. I was quite happy staying at home and sorting through presents, watching more Christmas movies, and polishing off the last of the Christmas chocolates. That was, until this year.

The Northern Echo: Sunderland's boxing day dip in Seaburn.Sunderland's boxing day dip in Seaburn. (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

I think in the back of my mind I had always wanted to try it, to say I’d at least completed one boxing day dip in my life. So, the research began, and I signed up for Sunderland’s boxing day dip in Seaburn with a £10 donation to the Red Sky Foundation early in December.

By the time boxing day actually rolled around – I realised how nervous I was. It’s one thing to be cold, but to be cold and to make yourself even colder by running into the ocean? I just did not know what to expect. Luckily, the number of people at Seaburn who had signed up too, immediately made me feel at ease – and after a quick sign-in process at STACK Seaburn I was ready to go.

Flocks of people slowly started to surround the venue as they awaited the procession – a march from the roadside down to the sand where those partaking would then run into the sea. I saw people dressed as Christmas trees, holding flamingo floaties around their waist, pizza slices, hot dog costumes as well as people wearing t-shirts for their chosen charities.

The Northern Echo: Sunderland's boxing day dip in Seaburn.Sunderland's boxing day dip in Seaburn. (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

Before the dip itself, I caught up with Hannah Musgrove – one of many staff members of the Red Sky Foundation who were marshalling the day as well as collecting donations from the public.

“Sunderland’s boxing day dip has been around for decades – it was originally set up by the Sunderland Lions,” she said.

“We collaborated with them last year as they hadn’t been running it due to COVID-19, and now we’ve partnered up with them to have the most amount of entrants in many years.”

Hannah went on to state that the number of dippers in 2023 is around 600 – compared to 320 in 2022. For her, those numbers are “incredible”.

She added: “I think Red Sky as a charity in general, we’re so passionate about what we do and raising awareness of heart health and care – it’s such important work.”

Red Sky Foundation co-founder Sergio Petrucci was also at the heart of the event, greeting and chatting to participants and volunteers before they took the plunge.

Sergio said: “I’m really excited for today, the weather couldn’t have been better. We have hundreds of people here today. There are over 600 people who have actually signed up to do the dip.

The Northern Echo: Red Sky Foundation co-founder Sergio Petrucci.Red Sky Foundation co-founder Sergio Petrucci. (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

“To see people be a part of this is spectacular.”

He added: “To see this support is very humbling. The things we’ve been doing for health in the North East is a testimony to the amount of people who have come out today.”

Following a short walk to the beach, I watched the procession begin and knew it was time to join in myself. I removed my shoes and walked down the stairs only to be greeted by firemen who welcomed us to the beach by spraying us all down with hoses.

Further and further we walked, half running really to reach the sea. I thought, if the puddles I’m stepping in are anything to go off this is going to be freezing. In the end, I was one of the first 50 or so people in the sea.

Hitting us, the waves pushed us all around and went up my back – leaving me absolutely drenched as I slowly lost all feeling in my toes thanks to the temperature of the water. Weirdly, though, as much as I was cold, there was something rather exhilarating about the whole experience.

The Northern Echo: Sunderland's boxing day dip in Seaburn.Sunderland's boxing day dip in Seaburn. (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

You almost feel shocked to life by the water as you walk further and further in, giving you this rush of adrenaline where rather than feeling like you want to immediately get out, you give in and truly enjoy it.

The atmosphere itself was much of the same. People were screaming in joy yet discomfort at the chilly ocean and laughing as they did so. There is also something extremely entertaining in seeing people in fancy dress costumes run into the ocean.

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Overall, I have to admit that doing the dip was a really memorable experience. It was something so out of the ordinary and fun – which is why I believe it’s so popular. A break from the world and craziness of Christmas when all that matters is you and how fast you can get into the sea.

Would I do it next year? The jury is still out – but I think I’d consider it.

One lasting line, and something that summed up the experience for me came from a woman who was exiting the ocean at the same time as I. Looking over at the dry, smiling spectators, she shook her head and laughed “I tell you what, it’s very cold in there.”