PICTURES: Kincraig breaks the ice with 2024
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An army of brave wild winter dippers have given a boost to local snowsports by raising over £1000 for upgraded facilities at Loch Insh Outdoor Centre.
More than 100 brave souls – or mad ones? – who turned up at the beach for the annual New Year’s Day Dip on Monday morning passed the £1050 mark with their efforts.
With the water measured at just 0.5C, director Jonny Freshwater waded out with his shinty stick and log to break up the ice and clear a way for the big 'run' from the boathouse into the loch.
“It wasn’t too thick,” he said, “and broke up and dispersed pretty quickly, certainly clearing enough room for the dippers to make their way out into the water safely.”
We counted them all out and we counted them all back and it proved an astonishingly successful day, with entry fees going towards the centre’s magnificent new dry ski slope which is nearing completion for its official opening later this month.
“The extended slope is going to guarantee everyone a fantastic alternative when the conditions on the hill aren't too good, which is quite often," said Mr Freshwater.
"The surface we have here now is much more amenable and will open up the range of activities."
As he said it, another crowd joined the skaters on the ‘Glice’ rink, having finished their breakfast, to burn up some calories.
