INTREPID dippers braved icy cold waters to start off 2025 with a splash as the Royal West of Scotland Amateur Boat Club’s annual New Year’s Day swim returned to Greenock.

Around 50 swimmers gathered at the club on New Year’s Day to take part in the popular public event, which was open to any competent swimmers.

Clad in their warm gear and spurred on by a crowd of supporters and onlookers, brave souls of all ages made their way into the water, which was a cool eight degrees Celsius, and enjoyed a bracing dip in the chilly Clyde.

(Image: Alex Craig) Most participants elected to stay in the water for at least five minutes to get the full effect of the cold.

After the swim, everyone was invited into the clubhouse for some hospitality and around 60 people took the club up on this offer.

The swim was organised by RWSABC member Joe Heffernan, who has thanked everyone who helped out on the day, including fellow members Phil Jones and Allan Cadenhead, who provided kayak support for the swimmers.

(Image: Alex Craig) With this year’s dip behind them, the boat club are now looking forward to their 10th anniversary swim next year, which is planned for January 1, 2026.

READ MORE: Look back to how Inverclyde swimmers welcomed in 2024 with a chilly dip in Greenock

Joe said: “It’s a milestone we hoped we would hit.

“We’ve revitalised this part of the club and these kinds of activities and we’re very pleased with it.

“The last few years have been really nice.

“The weather's worked out pretty good and people have enjoyed themselves.

(Image: Alex Craig)

“It was a very good occasion once again this year. We had some families down there.

“I think people were quite excited, because the morning's weather had been absolutely miserable, but by the time we were going in, the wind had dropped.

“It was a nice high tide with almost a little bit of sun, so it was quite good from that point of view.”