Thousands will strip off for a mass swim in the River Derwent off Sandy Bay’s Long Beach this morning.
The annual Nude Solstice Swim is back for its 10th year, with 3,000 participants expected to brave the cold and celebrate the winter solstice.
The event was cancelled in 2013 due to public nudity regulations, but organisers have since worked with Tasmania Police, Hobart City Council and the state government to secure a special event permit.
In its first year, close to 300 people took part in the nude swim, which has since become a significant annual ritual in Tasmania.
Participants gather at the beach naked and swim out into the river to welcome back the light after the longest night of the year.
“Every year we are inundated with messages from disappointed punters who missed out on a spot,” Dark Mofo Executive Producer Melissa Edwards said.
“So to meet this increased demand, we worked with Surf Life Saving Tasmania to increase our capacity and accommodate an additional 1,000 participants in 2024.”
The ‘unique and liberating’ event has become an important and special community event on the Dark Mofo calendar.
