As the Gippsland Lakes cool down, locals are preparing for one of the most anticipated and chilliest events of the East Gippsland Winter Festival, the Big Gippsland Jersey Winter Dip.
Held each year to raise awareness about the benefits of cold water for mental health, the Big Winter Dip has become a much loved community tradition of the festival marking the Winter Solstice.
Festival director Adam Bloem and Gippsland Jersey co-founder Sallie Jones were recently spotted making a last minute dash to a local op shop to find bathers for an impromptu promo dip.
“It wasn’t exactly planned, but we couldn’t resist jumping in,” Sallie said.
Also lending her enthusiasm to the event is Alyssa Sutherland, who leads the Cold Dip community in Lakes which is a dedicated group of locals who meet for weekly lake dips every Wednesday morning at 6.30am at Bullock Island. Alyssa will be leading participants through the winter plunge and helping everyone get the most out of the experience.
This year’s official event is set for Saturday, June 21, at 7am at The Slipway in Lakes Entrance.
Everyone is welcome to join this free event, just bring a towel, something warm to change into, and your best sense of bravery and fun.
“For anyone who gets wet there will be a free hot Chai from Gippsland Jersey waiting for all plungers afterwards,” Sallie said.
For full details and to register, head to the East Gippsland Winter Festival website.
