Avid swimmers brave the freezing cold and hit the water for a Christmassy dip in the middle of winter

Enthusiastic swimmers braved the freezing cold and took to the water today for a mid-winter Christmas dip.

Brave Britons decided to ditch their gear and plunge into the icy waters at a celebratory celebration at Coney Beach in Wales.

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Every year thousands flock to the nearest beach to take part in the bizarre Christmas tradition.

And at the annual Christmas swim in Porthcawl, many turned up happily in festive swimsuits.

This year some swam in the freezing water to raise money for RNLI.

Bridgend’s Caroline and Steph Adams wore skimpy Santa-style swimsuits as they took the icy plunge.

One beachgoer donned a pair of reindeer antlers as he swam shirtless in his swim trunks.

Another wore an elf outfit, while more than one woman braved the cold in just a bikini and Santa hat.

Others have been seen diving into the water wearing nothing more than a flimsy pair of Speedos.

And a group of boys were photographed in elf outfits on a fairly busy Coney Beach.

Although temperatures were expected to drop below freezing over the next few days, that didn’t stop the celebrations.

The tradition will continue on Boxing Day, with swimming pools also planned across the country from Sunny Sands Beach in Folkestone to Whitby Beach.

Meanwhile, on New Year’s Day next week, brave Brits in Lyme Regis, Edinburgh and everywhere in between will also be taking the plunge.

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