It’s going deeply dippy in Parliament Hill

Sport & Fitness — 30 November 2011

Gluttons for punishment, sado-masochists and keen swimmers will descend on Parliament Hill Lido this Saturday for the Outdoor Swimming Society’s December Dip.

Hundreds of bathers will brave the waters to do a couple of lengths before being treated to warming mince pies and a tipple of something that presumably has an alcohol percentage higher than the outside temperature.

DJ and TV presenter Edith Bowman will get proceedings under way and swimmers will have a brass band and cheering crowds to encourage them into the water.

Once they’ve completed their swim they will be able to coax the blood back to their extremities by thawing out in a large hot tub.

Scout London isn’t entirely sure which is more shocking – the fact that an outdoor pool is still open in London at this time of year, or the thought that somebody might actually want to go swimming in it.

The insanity starts at 11.00 and goes on until 13.00. We can only assume it takes some people two hours to summon the courage to actually take the plunge.

Entry to the Dip costs £15 (payable on the day). Spectators are asked for a small donation.

Organisers claim the event is an instant cure for the Friday night induced hangover.