Thousands of Hongkongers take to Repulse Bay for 40th anniversary of New Year’s Day swimming event
The annual race spanning 600 metres drew a variety of inspiring participants
More than 2,600 men and women braved chilly waters in Repulse Bay to kick off the new year with a splash.
For its 40th year, the New Year Winter Swimming Lifesaving Championships sent participants on a 600-metre swim from Middle Bay Beach on Hong Kong Island to Repulse Bay Jetty.
Swimmers could enter either a competition category or a leisure category.
The 2,641 participants included the oldest participant, an 81-year-old veteran with some 30 years of winter swimming experience, and the youngest, a six year old boy who splashed into the sea for the first time.
The swimmers took to the waters at 10.30am today and were on the watch by life guards on canoes throughout the cruise.