The annual Stonehaven Nippy Dip will be going ahead this New Year again with backing from the community council.
Last year the group was forced to intervene at the last minute after the previous organisers, CLIC Sargent, pulled out of the event.
Chairman of the community council, Phil Mills-Bishop, is keen to encourage as many people as possible to brave the chilly conditions and said yesterday he wants to “break through the 100 mark”.
He added: “We had to step in last year, but still managed to get around 94 dippers – so we are hoping to get more than that this time round.
“There will be a prize for the best fancy dress and all ages are welcome to join in. I hope we can make it the best yet.”
The Stonehaven RNLI will once again be supporting the event and their volunteers will be on hand to watch over the intrepid dippers.
Many revellers take the opportunity to refresh themselves in the harbour after a late Hogmanay night watching the Fireballs festival.
The world famous event takes place on New Year’s Eve and attracts thousands of people who line the pavements of the seaside town, watching on as locals march through the streets to the harbour.
It’s a dramatic ceremony, with participants swinging fireballs above their heads in a ceremonial parade starting at the stroke of midnight.
The swingers are made up of 45 locals who are handpicked to take part in the ceremony due to their strong connection to the town.
The parade ends at the harbour and all the balls are then launched into the sea to herald the start of the New Year.
The Nippy Dip event will be raising money for Stonehaven RNLI and also Aberdeen Royal Infirmary’s neo-natal unit.
Entrants can sign up on the day from 10am at the RNLI boathouse. The event takes place at 12 noon, Monday, January 1, 2018.
To sign up online visit: www.sdcc.scot and complete the registration form or email philmillsbishop@gmail.com