Courageous trio make splash with polar plunge (From Oxford Mail)
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Courageous trio make splash with polar plunge
12:10pm Thursday 3rd January 2013 in Oxford
Annie Billington, centre and inset, is joined in Hinksey Lake by Stuart Allen and Andrew Pickering
ADVENTUROUS divers braved chilly conditions in Oxford as they took a New Year dip.
Members of Oxford British Sub Aqua Club (BSAC) took part in their 56th annual polar plunge at Hinksey Lake.
After assembling at their clubhouse in Lake Street, and cheered on by 25 supporters, a brave trio hit the water in outside temperatures of 6C.
Annie Billington, Stuart Allen and Andrew Pickering were the three to dive in.
Miss Billington, 28, from Oxford, took part for the second year running. She said: “It was absolutely freezing. It was also a metre deeper than usual because of the flooding but it was clear and we had quite good visibility.
“It is always a good warm-up dive for the rest of the season. It has to get better because every dive after this one is warmer.
“But we didn’t find any treasure so that’s for next time. We’ll be there again next year!”
The club’s next major dive promises warmer temperatures – with a dozen of the club travelling to Egypt in February. For more information on the club visit oxfordscubadivers.com
