Dare to Dip: Day 42
On Sunday 25th April at 7:30am i met up with the MANUP? folks by Felixstowe Pier. We wanted to show our support to Sam Phillips and his ever growing Dare to Dip crew. Sam has challenged himself to take a dip in the sea every morning for a year as an act of awareness for mental health and to raise money for Anxiety UK. After discovering cold water therapy and completing an initial 30 day cold shower challenge, he was keen to continue exploring its benefits. With the ocean on his doorstep it made complete sense to take advantage of what nature had to offer.
MANUP?, Dare to Dip and Guy Cry Club before the dip. Left to right: Jordan, Steve R, Sam, Phil, Ben (that’s me), and Dan. Steve B from MANUP? also took part in the dip.
In the lead up to this MANUP? had a chat with Sam and his chum Jake about mental health, anxiety and coping mechanisms (which you can see here). And in an effort to bring more unity across local mental health advocates Dan from MANUP? decided to get a clan together and get involved, inviting me to come along too. I hadn’t done anything like this before. Willingly walking into the North Sea - which isn’t exactly known for its tender warmth and pristine waters - does seem a bit bananas! But when it’s for a good cause and you’re surrounded by wonderful people it can make the biggest of challenges seem achievable.
On my drive down to Felixstowe Pier i had all sorts of niggling worries going through my head. Mostly, I have definitely not given myself enough time to get there, i’m going to be late and everyone’s going to be in the sea before i can even park. But also things like; i’ve not been in a big group of people since before lockdown first happened so will that just be completely overwhelming, is everyone going to be in wetsuits and be super prepared whilst i rock up in black and white floral above the knee swim shorts, are people going to stare at me, will people think i’m staring at them… I sporadically take deep breathes whilst navigating the mechanics of a moving vehicle.
Once i had arrived and i could see everyone on the beach it was honestly just a relief. I headed over to the MANUP? folks and resumed with my “normal”, sometimes awkward, giggly manner. When i’m around people i know most of my fears are lessened to the point where i can bypass them completely. And in this case, we were all united by the prospect of getting into freezing cold water and showing our support to mental health awareness.
And so the time comes… I had already started taking off layers of clothes because i was wearing about 10 million. It definitely was already cold before stepping into the waves but i don’t think i could really prepare myself for the cold water shock as i become submerged alongside everyone else. My breathing is instantly shallow as my body tries to adapt to a new environment. I am forced to focus on it instead of being in my head. That’s one of the reasons cold water therapy can be so effective. It takes the emphasis away from your thinking. Over time your natural resilience and ability to shift from head to body strengthens. And for those that live with mental ill health that can be vital for recovery and the management of their wellbeing.
We stayed in for 10mins. Across that time the waves built in their strength, it’s like they were waiting for us to venture in. They lifted us off the ground as they moved through us with the odd bobbing head getting caught out as the waves started to break and roll. Some stood like rocks for the entire time, others walked and swam to counter the direction of the tide and to keep warm. There was an almost incoherent muddle of laughter, swearing and everyone asking if each other was doing ok.
After 10 minutes passed i think i had witnessed every single facial expression human beings can create. We retreat to the shore walking against the pull of the tide. Layers start flying around as we find our towels, dressing gowns and jumpers to regain any sense of warmth. The feeling was exhilarating and i’m not sure how else to describe it other than my entire body being really really awake. I can see why so many folks take cold showers or swim in open water all year round. It was a joy to be part of the 42nd day of Dare to Dip. Not just to show support to Sam - alongside MANUP? - and the great work he is doing for mental health awareness, but also to show how we can all come together and stand for something positive. Even the simplest of acts can cause a ripple affect. Everything has impact and reaches someone, regardless of whether we realise that or not. This positivity only builds when we acknowledge, connect and collaborate with one another. So thank you to everyone who was there that day, thank you to Sam for the community you continue to build, and thank you to MANUP? for inviting me to come along.
Credits:
Photos: Dare to Dip
Thermal Drone and Facebook Live captures: MANUP?
