Geraldton launches the Cold Nips movement with more than 80 people taking a sunrise dip for mental health

A community movement promoting connection and wellbeing has launched in Geraldton with more than 80 people joining the inaugural sunrise swim at Stow Gardens. Cold Nips began in Perth about three years ago, offering a space for the community to meet, swim and chat to encourage positive mental health and a healthier lifestyle. Every hump day (Wednesday), people Australia-wide meet at a beach at sunrise and plunge into the ocean as a group. On Wednesday, Geraldton held their inaugural event, which saw 86 people get involved — a record number for any first Cold Nips event. Geraldton event organiser Darby Thompson said he was a big believer in community-driven projects with social benefits, and Cold Nips encouraged people to have fun and start their day in a positive way. “We ended up with over 80 people registered for our first event. It’s broken records for any of the previous first events which is pretty cool for little ol’ Gero,” he said. “The conversations that were being had and the amount of noise from a group of people at that time in the morning is a pretty good sign of people having a good time.” The tongue-in-cheek event aims to inspire connection, discomfort, joy, nature and finding meaning without taking life too seriously, Mr Thompson said. “The thing that excites me the most is the flow-on effect that something like this can have through community, when you’ve got 80 people starting their day in a really positive way with lots of energy and lots of smiles and laughter, how that might play out through the rest of their day,” he said. “If you’ve got people who are working with young people, or teachers or people working in the hospital system, I’m pretty confident that effect will flow through their day.” As the event gains momentum, new locations will be announced each week. To keep up to date with the local event, follow the Cold Nips Gero Instagram page or the website.