Cold Water Dip 2027
Dare to dip details!
- Saturday 2 January
- 7.30am
- Parliament Hill Lido
- Early Bird fundraising Ticket £10 (raise £50 suggested)
- Early Bird Non-Fundraising Ticket: £25, no sponsorship
Whether you're chasing a new challenge, looking to embrace the benefits of cold water immersion, or simply want to start the year by doing something meaningful for your local hospice, this is your chance to step outside your comfort zone and make a real difference.
Your ticket includes:
Sunrise cold water dip experience at Parliament Hill Lido
Expert guidance from an experienced Wim Hof instructor
North London Hospice beanie
A hot drink and snack after the dip.
A certificate
What's involved?
Cold water dipping involves briefly immersing your body in cold water; usually around 4 degrees Celsius. The process includes entering slowly while controlling your breathing, staying submerged for 1–5 minutes, and warming up immediately afterwards. Once the secret weapon of athletes for soothing tired muscles, it’s now a popular choice for anyone chasing a burst of energy, a clear head and a boost for body and mind.
Before you take the dip, you’ll get a brilliant coaching session from a qualified instructor of the Wim Hof Method to help you prepare. You’ll learn simple breathing and meditation techniques to keep you calm and focused, plus handy tips on how to enter the water safely. We’ll also cover the do’s, don’ts, and must-knows of cold water dipping, including how to warm up properly afterwards so you finish feeling fabulous, not frozen.
Before applying, please read North London Hospice’s Terms & Conditions. Sign up now and do something brilliantly brave
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Sign up for the Cold Water Dip today
Why Take Part?
Cold water dipping has become increasingly popular amongst people looking to improve their physical and mental wellbeing, boosting their resilience. Plus every brave step into that cold water helps us provide expert, compassionate end-of-life care to those who need it most.
Carol, last year’s participant, described the feeling:
“I loved my Cold Water Dip experience! I do believe we can all benefit from pushing ourselves out of our comfort zones. This challenge really appealed to me - I had read about the benefits of cold water exposure and love to try new holistic ways to look after myself (I am a big fan of gong baths and floatation tanks). The bonus of raising money for such a good cause was the icing on the cake. I have never asked friends/family to sponsor me but felt proud to be able to explain what the hospice does and ended up beating my target by quite a way.
On the day itself Ruth Geyer, who is a Wim Hoff Method Fundamentals Instructor, explained how our bodies would react and ensured our safety. I loved it so much I signed up for a discounted workshop with her and a few weeks later ended up in an ice bath in her garden! The NLH Team and supporters cheered us on - it was indeed a challenge but doing it in a group felt great and I came out of the water wishing I'd stayed in longer. Cold water exposure brings you into the current moment instantly and together with breathwork can change your mindset and help build resilience.”
Every brave dipper will help North London Hospice continue providing expert, compassionate care to local patients and families when they need it most. Our services are provided free of charge, but it now costs over £16 million a year to run our charity. Whilst around a third of this amount comes from the NHS, we rely on the generosity of our community through donations to help make up the shortfall in funding. Put simply, we couldn’t do what we do without people like you.
Sign up today and start the year with a splash.
Please use the registration form below to book your place. If you took part in last year's Cold Water Dip or have participated in one of our Royal Parks Half Marathons, please use the form beneath this one where you can claim a discount.
Discounted registration for returning cold water dippers and North London Hospice half marathon runners.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cold water dipping is perfectly safe for most healthy adults. There will be a qualified Wim Hof method instructor to guide you through the dip safely, but here’s some guidance:
- Ease in slowly to acclimatise to the temperatures – no diving in!
- Know your limits - if you’re shivering uncontrollably, dizzy, or breathless, get out and warm up.
- Warm up properly after - dry off as soon as possible, enjoy the sauna, layer up, stand on something as you get changed to avoid losing heat through your feet, move around and sip something warm.
Yes, you absolutely can still take part! Our Cold Water Dip is about getting in the water, not swimming lengths. There’s no pressure to go out of your depth - just a quick splash is all that’s needed to join the fun.
The registration fee is non-refundable. If you need to cancel, please let us know as soon as possible so we can offer your place to someone else.
The sponsorship target helps cover the cost of The Cold Water Dip and ensures that a donation still goes directly towards supporting the vital care provided by North London Hospice.
We encourage all participants to do their best to meet the minimum sponsorship target. The registration fee is non-refundable and helps cover event costs.
If you’re finding fundraising difficult, please don’t worry - our fundraising team is here to help with advice, resources, and creative ideas to support you in reaching your goal..
Yes, participants must be at least 16 years old to take part in The Cold Water Dip. Those under 18 will need a guardian’s written permission to participate.
There are no specific medical restrictions, but you should be in good health and physically fit enough to safety take part. If you have underlying health conditions (i.e. heart disease, asthma, lung conditions) or any other medical conditions that might be affected by exposure to cold water, or if you are pregnant, then please seek appropriate medical advice before proceeding.
In high winds or extreme weather, the event may need to be postponed for safety reasons. If so, we will reschedule for an alternative date.
Yes, you will need to fill out a medical form ahead of the event.
Yes, a professional photographer will be present to capture the event. If you would prefer not to be photographed, please let us know in advance
What to wear in the water:
- Swimsuit/trunks - Wear something you feel comfortable in that does not affect your ability to swim.
- Fancy dress - Please make sure you do not wear anything that will become too heavy to swim in when it gets wet.
- Neoprene gloves, socks or booties (optional, but your fingers and toes will thank you)
What to bring:
- A big fluffy towel or dry robe
- Warm clothes to change into (layers are key!)
- Gloves and thick socks for post-dip warmth
- Flip-flops or sliders for getting to/from the water
- A bag for wet stuff
Absolutely - the more, the merrier! Friends and family are very welcome.
We want as many people as possible to enjoy the thrill of the chill! However, cold water dipping isn’t suitable for everyone, especially if you're pregnant. Always check with your GP if you're unsure.
In terms of physical accessibility, we’re doing our best to make the event inclusive. If you have access needs, please get in touch with us beforehand - we’ll do everything we can to help you take part safely and comfortably.
A cold dip has a few brilliant benefits:
- Boosts your mood - Cold water triggers a rush of endorphins which can leave you feeling euphoric and energised.
- Improves circulation – The shock of the cold gets your blood pumping and may help improve circulation over time.
- Builds resilience - Regular cold exposure may strengthen your immune system and help your body cope better with stress.
- Supports mental wellbeing - Cold water immersion can help reduce anxiety and give you a real sense of accomplishment. There’s something about doing something hard that reminds you how strong you really are.
Yes, your entry includes a hot drink and a snack. Refreshments will be available free to participants and donations welcomed for guests.
Prefer to stay warm and dry?
No problem – fundraise your own way for North London Hospice.
Whether it’s at work, in your community, or with your nearest and dearest, every penny you raise helps us continue to give the very best of life, at the end of life.
We’ve got loads of fun ideas to get you started
You can download our fundraising guide for tips, inspiration and everything you need to make a real difference (and have fun doing it!).
967 KB PDF file
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