Would you swim nude for mental health this winter solstice?

Posted on 6 June, 2023

Leave the swimmers at home—a quick dip this winter solstice has never looked so heartwarming!

Celebrating its seventh year, the Ian Lindeman Memorial Winter Solstice Swim sees hundreds of brave Canberrans strip to their birthday suits and take a dip in Lake Burley Griffin in the name of charity. Held at sunrise on the winter solstice each year, swimmers raise much-needed funds for local charities, with 100 per cent of funds this year raised going to support Lifeline Canberra.

Held at Yarralumla Beach on Lake Burley Griffin on Thursday 22 June, check-in is between 6:20 am and 6:50 am, where participants will receive a returnable swimming cap. There is a safety briefing at 7:05 am, with the official swim beginning at 7:12 am. Bagpipes will support the swimmers in their endeavour, serenading the event between 6:45 and 7 am, as well as from 7:09 to 7:11 am. The event provides fire pits and a free sausage sizzle and coffee after 7:15 am, and a celebration at Dickson Tap House at 5 pm. There is a strict no-spectators rule on this event (we think you can guess why).

Registration prior to the event is a must, requiring a signed waiver and $35 registration fee. You can participate individually or as part of a team (your choice to create your own or join an existing one!), and everyone receives their own individual fundraising page. You must be over 18 to participate, and there are associated risks with the event that each participant must be aware of—this event isn’t for the faint-of-heart. But if you can’t participate in the swim (or the idea of baring it all freaks you out), make sure to have a look at the support-a-friend page on their website to donate.

Organisers recommend bringing a towel or a blanket for warmth prior to the event and immediately after. Ensure you are wearing something comfortable, warm, and easy to shed—such as tracky daks, warm jumper, a beanie and Ugg boots. There will be a temporary change room set up for the event, if needed.

Ian Lindeman first organised this event in 2017, with the aim to do something ‘a bit different’ to refresh spirits and support a good cause. Now grown quickly from its humble beginnings, the nude swim encourages participants to wash away negativity and feel a sense of renewal. Described as a restorative and liberating experience, it’s the perfect way to give your mental health a winter reset and feed your soul through a good deed. Ian Lindeman passed away from liver cancer in 2019, but his legacy and impact on the Canberra community continues to live on through his event.

The winter solstice has traditionally been considered a day to celebrate the rebirth of the sun. It signifies great resilience to endure the dark and cold days of winter before the return of the sunshine and promise of spring—the perfect time to appreciate life. There’s no better way to honour this celebration of life and resilience than through the Winter Solstice Nude Charity Swim!

Lifeline Canberra is a suicide prevention service that provides immediate crisis support to individuals, and proactively builds mental health resilience in our community. This vital service is always there for all Canberrans 24/7, 365 days a year, and it relies on important fundraising events, such as this. A Canberran is lost every week to suicide, and every $26 allows Lifeline to answer a life-saving call. Will you bare it all in the name of charity?

If this article raises any concerns, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, or 000 in an emergency.

Feature image via the Ian Lindeman Memorial Winter Solstice Swim Facebook page.