Swimmers’ annual nude plunge into chilly Tasmanian river marks the winter solstice – and Dark Mofo’s revival

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"Thousands Participate in Annual Nude Plunge at Dark Mofo Festival in Hobart"

Swimmers’ annual nude plunge into chilly Tasmanian river marks the winter solstice – and Dark Mofo’s revival analysis cover image The Guardian 7.8
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Original Article Source: https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2025/jun/21/swimmers-annual-nude-plunge-into-chilly-tasmanian-river-marks-the-winter-solstice-and-dark-mofos-revival
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On the winter solstice, approximately 3,000 participants took part in the annual nude plunge into Hobart's River Derwent, braving the chilly water to celebrate the shortest day of the year. The event, which began in 2013 with only a few hundred participants, has grown significantly in popularity, becoming a hallmark of the Dark Mofo festival. The air temperature hovered around 10 degrees Celsius as swimmers, adorned only with red swim caps, leaped into the frigid waters at 7:40 am. Many participants expressed a mix of trepidation and exhilaration, with individuals like Liz Cannard, who had been traveling in Tasmania, admitting to her fears but also relishing the experience. Another participant, Lizzy Nash, echoed sentiments of seizing the moment and finding inspiration in the communal spirit of the plunge, highlighting the event's motivational impact on her outlook on life.

The Dark Mofo festival, known for its unique and sometimes controversial artistic expressions, has made a triumphant return in 2025 with a full program after a reduced schedule in 2024. This year, over 103,000 tickets were sold for various events, generating $4.6 million in revenue, showcasing the festival's resurgence and the community's enthusiasm. Chris Twite, the artistic director, remarked on the incredible response and the revitalization of Hobart's streets, filled with both locals and visitors celebrating the winter season. The nude swim has become a symbolic conclusion to the festival, fostering a sense of connection and joy among participants, further solidifying Dark Mofo's reputation as a significant cultural event in Tasmania. The festival continues to draw attention, although it has faced criticism in the past for its provocative installations, such as inverted Christian crosses along the waterfront, demonstrating its commitment to pushing boundaries in the art and cultural landscape.

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Source URL: https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2025/jun/21/swimmers-annual-nude-plunge-into-chilly-tasmanian-river-marks-the-winter-solstice-and-dark-mofos-revival

Swimmers have stripped off and raced into chilly waters on the shortest day of the year.

Wearing nothing but red swim caps, 3,000 courageous souls took the annualnude sunrise plungeinto Hobart’s River Derwent to mark the winter solstice.

The air temperature was about 10C as the naked pack took to the water at 7.40am on Saturday, sparking shrieks and yells of anguish. Liz Cannard, who has been travelling aroundTasmaniafor nearly four months with her husband, said she was petrified before taking the dip.

“I’m not a strong swimmer and I don’t take my gear off for anybody ... so I’ve ticked off a couple of things today,” the Geelong resident said.

Lizzy Nash from Sydney was also in the mood for a bit of carpe diem. “It’s about seizing the moment, seizing life and being inspired,” she said.

“This is the sort of thing that motivates you to want to do more and challenge yourself. It was awe-inspiring and I absolutely loved it.”

The free swim is part of theDark Mofofestival and started with just a few hundred participants in 2013. Melburnian Belinda Chambers said she had been watching people do it on television for years and decided to work remotely from Tasmania for the festival so she could stay and leave on a high.

“So exhilarating,” she said. “I was nervous, but there was this almost primal moment of everyone being together that carries you along, and a sense of pure happiness.”

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Dark Mofo hasreturned to its full pompin 2025, after running a reduced program in 2024 so it could find a more sustainable financial model. The festival’s artistic director, Chris Twite, said the swim was a tremendous way to bring things to a close.

“The response in 2025 has been incredible,” he said. “The streets of Hobart have come alive with locals and visitors celebrating winter andDark Mofoagain.”

More than 103,000 tickets were sold toDark Mofo events in 2025, generating $4.6m. The festival has made a name for itself by courting controversy and in 2018 drew the ire of some by installinginverted Christian crossesalong Hobart’s waterfront.

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Source: The Guardian