This year’s International Women’s Day, taking place on Saturday 8th March, will be marked by a very bracing celebration in St Andrews – and the waters of the North Sea.
Bob & Blether, the town’s cold-water swimming group, will be holding an event in partnership with the five-star Old Course Hotel, Golf Resort & Spa.
Limited to 150 spaces, the day will begin on West Sands Beach with an ‘uplifting yoga and breathing workshop’, in preparation for an invigorating ‘dook’ in the sea.
Following that swim, attendees will gather in the stately Hall of Champions at the Old Course Hotel for a welcome breakfast provided by Taste, St Andrews, after which they’ll take part in a series of wellness workshops.
Among those already signed up to deliver the event is singer-songwriter Nati Dreddd; and acclaimed photographer, writer, and wild swimmer Anna Deacon.
Described as a ‘celebration of resilience, strength and community’, the event is open to all women regardless of cold-water swimming experience. Lifeguard and ambulance support will be in attendance at West Sands Beach.
All proceeds from the ticketed event will be donated to Dundee Women’s Aid, supporting women, children and young people who have experienced domestic abuse, and other local charities.
Old Course Hotel general manager Phyllis Wilkie said: “This is set to be a fantastic event, and we are so proud to partner with Bob & Blether to celebrate International Women’s Day.
“Having recently hosted the 2024 Global Wellness Summit, we truly understand the need for rejuvenating not just the body, but the mind and spirit, too.
“This exclusive experience perfectly captures that ethos, with the power of cold-water swimming and uplifting connections in our iconic coastal setting.”
Bob & Blether founder, Caroline Blair, said: “Our International Women’s Day event is the cornerstone of our calendar, and we are thrilled to partner with the Old Course Hotel Golf Resort & Spa for this year’s celebration.
“Now in its third year, the event continues to grow and evolve but its purpose stays the same – to get women together, raise money for charity and support local businesses in the process.
“We started as a group of six women but we now have over 100 members and, through our International Women’s Day events alone, we’ve raised close to £10,000 for Dundee Women’s Aid.
“There’s truly no better place in the world for a swim—or ‘dook’—than the stunning waters surrounding St Andrews and we look forward to welcoming seasoned swimmers and those who are new to this glorious pastime on the day.”
