Portstewart, Northern Ireland – Video filmed by X user Visit Portstewart on December 25, 2025, shows a large group of people taking part in the annual Christmas Day sea dip known as Operation Freeze Knees on Portstewart Strand beach.

The footage shows a wide sandy beach with rolling dunes in the background under a crisp winter sky with partial cloud cover. A long human chain of participants stretches from the shore into the shallow Atlantic waves as they hold hands and enter the water together.

Many participants are wearing festive swimwear, Santa hats, and colorful costumes. Cars are parked along the upper beach and dunes, while spectators watch from dry areas of the sand.

The caption shared with the video reads: “The annual Christmas Day dip, Operation Freeze Knees, for @NIHospice. What a turnout, every single one a legend on a beautiful crisp Christmas Day. Well done everyone!”

The gathering is a long-established local Christmas Day tradition in Portstewart. Reports from December 2025 describe a very large turnout, with participants praised for entering the cold sea on a bright winter morning.

No incidents or rescues were linked to the event. Coverage from December 2025 notes the swim was organized and celebratory, with no reported issues.

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