Bikinis were teamed with beanies and scarves as the Warrnambool Surf Life Saving Club held its annual Winter Solstice Polar Plunge. 

Wetsuits were prohibited, but unlike other winter solstice swims around the world, some form of swimwear was required. 

The plunge has been a mid-winter tradition for club members over the past five years and president Mick Owen said it was a novel way of getting together in the off-season. 

With yesterday marking the shortest day of the year, Mr Owen said the plunge was a fun way to mark the sun slowly making its way back to this part of the world. “It certainly gives you an appreciation of the warmer weather,” he said. 

“People ask why we do it. The answer is why not -— there’s no real reason for it, it’s just a bit of fun.

“The only rule is you have to dive under. 

“There’s no minimum time limit in the water or anything like that.” Winter solstice events are common in the northern hemisphere, where many cultures celebrate a rebirth after the harsh winter. 

In Hobart, the occasion is marked with an early morning swim in the Derwent River, sans clothes.