Halle (dpa/sa) - Ten degrees air temperature and three degrees in the water: 192 courageous children and adults plunged into the cool waters of the Heidebad in Halle on Friday. The age range for the traditional New Year's swim was between 8 and 71 years, said Managing Director Mathias Nobel of the German Press Agency. Nobel himself was among the swimmers, who he says were cheered on by thousands of onlookers.
According to Nobel, the event on Epiphany grew from 15 participants and 50 spectators in 2010 to a "folk festival". "I'm always amazed at how many people come to see us go swimming," said the head of the Heidebad in Halle-Nietleben, which is located directly on the Dölauer Heide.
