A GROUP of brave Scouts plunged into freezing Southampton Water on a bitterly cold Boxing Day morning.

The annual event’s fancy dress theme this year was superheroes – an apt choice as only comic book characters would be courageous enough to take on the challenge.

Although the air temperature was only around 7C (45F) after the early morning frost had melted, it was still cold enough to send shivers down the spine for those watching, let alone those who ventured into the water.

Daily Echo:

The Boxing Day dip was part of an annual competition between Itchen North and South troops that has been going on for 30 years at Weston Shore.

The competition pits small teams against each other with the winners the squad with the most people who submerge themselves completely.

Robyn Lockwood, 15, pictured, of the victorious Itchen South “Spartans” team, was the only girl to take part and the first to dive beneath the water.

Daily Echo:

She said: “It’s really cold and I can’t breathe, but I’m really glad I did it and it was great fun. It was my first time but it won’t be the last.”

 

Only six people took part from two teams – the Spartans and the Itchen Networks – a group for 18-25-year-olds.

Sam Weller, 28, leader of Itchen Networks, said: “I’ve done plenty of these and wasn’t planning to today, but we only had one of the Networks turn up so I felt bad.

“But I have to say this was probably the most pleasant one I’ve done yet as it wasn’t as cold as I expected.”

Daily Echo:

The Spartan champions were then presented with the trophy by Itchen North district commissioner Asa Moore.