Swimmers brave the sea to mark International Women's Day

Come on in the water’s… freezing! Hundreds of swimmers brave the cold sea at Portobello Beach in Edinburgh to celebrate International Women’s Day

  • People this morning braved the cold sea to celebrate International Women’s Day with a dip in the waters 
  • Up to 700 women took part in the sunrise swim at Portobello beach in Edinburgh to mark the occasion  
  • The annual swim is a recent tradition, started in 2018 at Wardie Bay, Edinburgh, that has increased in size 

Hundreds of people this morning braved the cold sea to celebrate International Women’s Day with a dip in the waters.

Up to 700 women took part in the sunrise swim at Portobello beach in Edinburgh to mark the occasion and raise money for various local women-focused charities.

The annual swim is a recent tradition, started in 2018 at Wardie Bay, Edinburgh, that has increased in size partly due to the increased popularity of wild swimming over the pandemic, reported The Herald.

In February 2020, around 300 people joined the occasion at Portobello, while now the crowd has more than doubled – and thousands of pounds has already been raised for charity.

The organisations supported by this year’s event include Edinburgh Rape Crisis, Edinburgh Women’s Aid, and Held in Our Hearts, a charity which provides support to families following the death of a baby.

International Women’s Day, which takes place on 8 March, celebrates women’s achievements in social, economical, cultural and political fields and is also an invitation for all elements of society to accelerate gender equality. 

Hundreds of people this morning braved the cold sea to celebrate International Women’s Day with a dip in the waters


Up to 700 women took part in the sunrise swim at Portobello beach in Edinburgh to mark International Women’s Day and raise money for various local women-focused charities

The annual swim (above) is a recent tradition, started in 2018 at Wardie Bay, Edinburgh, that has increased in size partly due to the increased popularity of wild swimming over the pandemic

Working those angles! Women pose after taking part in the sunrise swim at the beach in Edinburgh to mark International Women’s Day



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In February 2020, around 300 people joined the occasion at Portobello, while now the crowd (pictured) has more than doubled – and thousands of pounds has already been raised for charity

Taking part! People brace themselves in the cold during a swim at Portobello beach in Edinburgh today to celebrate International Women’s Day

The organisations supported by this year’s event (pictured) include Edinburgh Rape Crisis, Edinburgh Women’s Aid, and Held in Our Hearts, a charity which provides support to families following the death of a baby

International Women’s Day, which takes place on 8 March, celebrates women’s achievements in social, economical, cultural and political fields and is also an invitation for all elements of society to accelerate gender equality. Pictured, people taking part in the swim

All smiles: This beaming women didn’t appear to be bothered by the cold during her early morning swim in Edinburgh

Dressed in a variety of swimwear and hats, around 700 women took a chilly sunrise dip in the North Sea at Portobello Beach

Beaming! Despite the chilly temperatures, these swimmers couldn’t keep the smiles off their faces when enjoying a dip in the water

People race towards the water as they mark International Women’s Day with a sunrise dip in the North Sea at Portobello Beach

Grinning: These ladies were all smiles despite the chilly weather and cold sea when taking a swim this morning in Edinburgh

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