Cold water dippers hoping to land permanent home and mental health hub at South Gare

A group of cold water swimmers are hoping to secure a permanent home at a Teesside beauty spot to keep the support they offer afloat.

The South Gare Dippers is a group of about 60 like-minded people who meet at the breakwater in Redcar. Members are aged 17 to 92 and range from seasoned swimmers to those who just want to dip a toe in the water and wash their cares away.

Back in April, the group contacted PD Ports and asked for permission to keep the group's small caravan at the gare. Discussions have taken place, with the swimmers hoping they can rent a permanent spot.

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Sue Walker, 59, from the Belle Vue of Middlesbrough, is a keen member and has been leading the discussions with PD Ports. She said the base is more than just a storage facility, as they also offer one-to-one mental health support for members who may be struggling.

"For the benefit of our members we offer a number of services including counselling, cognitive behavioural therapy, relaxation classes, meditation, deep breathing classes, as well as the camaraderie sea dipping offers," she said. "We quickly realised that the benefits of cold water dipping were quite remarkable and decided to utilise the skills and qualifications of some members who have been willing to give some of their spare time for free."

The group meets Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday mornings, and Wednesday evenings and Thursday evenings. They also also arrange weekends away with dips at other beaches as well as rivers and waterfalls.

Members of the group also help with keeping the area clean including 70-year-old Margaret Perkins who clears the path down to the beach free of weeds and litter. Margaret came across the group by accident.

Walking along the beach one night she said she heard the sound of laughter from a group of people, before a member approached her and invited her to join them. "At 70 years old, I have become part of a group, of all ages," she said.

"They have become my safe place, the gare is my safe place. The acceptance, empathy and humour has made me realise I am no longer alone.

"The hub is a beacon and, even if there’s no one dipping, it’s a place I feel I can go to sit and think, with tears in my eyes."

As reported, PD Ports is taking action to clean up South Gare and tackle a rise in anti-social behaviour and littering at the site. This summer saw the area reportedly "overwhelmed" with camper vans and other vehicles, with litter and other waste left behind.

PD Ports said the problems had been exacerbated after the area was incorrectly highlighted as a free or ‘wild’ camping site on social media. A height restriction barrier is now being installed on South Gare Road, at the boundary of the private land.

The dippers' caravan is a separate issue and Sue said the group helped out where they could, with some members taking chairs, bricks and even a small sofa to the tip. They have also been dismayed by the mess left behind, she said.

The group hopes PD Ports will "sympathise" with their situation, she said, adding many members would be left devastated if they had to close their hub. "I have looked around the area and contacted the council and there is no availability for an adequate place for us to set up base that is as close to the gare that too much change for members would be a hurdle, and certainly isn't anywhere that is affordable," she said.

They have also put forward the suggestion of renting a building at the gare, which they believe is derelict. She said if they are offered a place, it will be maintained by the South Gare Sea Dippers.

The discussions are thought to be ongoing and PD Ports declined to comment at this stage when contacted by Teesside Live. Anyone interested in joining the dippers or receiving its newsletter can contact Sue at suehazel8@gmail.com

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