2005 saw the biggest ever turnout for the annual bout of lunacy that is the North Sea Volunteer Lifeguards' Boxing Day Swim at Whitley Bay.
With the water a chilly 7°C, 54 hardy souls aged 5 to 55 jumped in the sea supported by more than a hundred people on the beach.
The turnout was so good that there weren't enough commemorative t-shirts to go round, but that didn't spoil the fun.
Although for some it was a quick splash, the veterans and some of the newcomers lasted a full 15 minutes bodysurfing in the waves. Time was only called as club chairman Joe Welsh had to hand out the Certificates of Insanity to the swimmers.
The participants have raised thousands of pounds for the club and other local charities and it is hoped that next year's event will be even bigger.
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