Official Cold Nips launch party sees 100 early risers take ocean plunge and hang out at Geraldton Foreshore

More than 100 people plunged into the ocean early on Wednesday and took part in the official Cold Nips launch party on the Geraldton Foreshore. The community movement is gaining popularity after its first event on November 8 saw a record number of people turn up out of any inaugural event across the country. Cold Nips began in Perth about three years ago and offers a space for early morning risers to start their day off with a sunrise plunge in the ocean as a group. On Wednesday, more than 100 people gathered behind Two Foreshore cafe and took a dip, retreating back to the party space set up by local business Sweet Orange Productions for a chat, or heading into the cafe for a coffee. All-accessible beach mats were rolled out to make the event inclusive, with beach bikes available for those who might require them. The movement gives the community an excuse to have the best start to their day, which according to organiser Darby Thompson, results in widespread social benefits. “The thing that excites me the most is the flow-on effect that something like this can have through community, when you’ve got 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.” Cold Nips happens in Geraldton every Wednesday at sunrise.