THOUSANDS of merrymakers gathered to see over 400 people don swimsuits and fancy dress and take an icy plunge in the Solent on New Year’s Day. Here are some of the best images.
![Families preparing for a the swim](https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjliYzYxOGY0LTdhOTgtNDc4Zi1iYzc3LWI2Nzg5YTdjMTA3OTo1OGMwZTAyZi1hNTRmLTQ1NjAtODU4Zi1kZmFkNmNjODM3MmE=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
5. The 2023 Gafirs New Years Day Dip, an annual New Year's Day dip in the Solent.
Families preparing for a the swimPhoto: Sam Stephenson
![Moments before the big dip](https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmY4MGQxYmZhLWNiZjEtNGU1ZC1iN2RiLWY4MDQxMDVlYTRkZDpkM2QwZjhmMC04ZTI0LTQ2NmEtOTU5MS1iYWUwMTU3OWE5ZjM=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
6. The 2023 Gafirs New Years Day Dip, an annual New Year's Day dip in the Solent
Moments before the big dipPhoto: Sam Stephenson
![Families gather as they prepare for the dip](https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjQ3OWM4YjlkLTRiMmItNDg5My05MjBiLTdkZmFlZWQ0ZmNmYzowYmQxZThhNi1jMzE3LTRlYTEtYTU1Yi1iM2MwMzNjZmNhM2M=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
7. The 2023 Gafirs New Years Day Dip
Families gather as they prepare for the dipPhoto: Sam Stephenson
![People dressed as characters from Monsters Inc](https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmVhODY5MWQzLTQ1YjktNDU5NS04Y2NhLWYxZWEyNGNhMWFjODo0MTkwMzc0OS0xMTNhLTRiZmMtYTQ4NC05NmNhOTVjMTk4MGQ=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
8. The 2023 Gafirs New Years Day Dip
People dressed as characters from Monsters IncPhoto: Sam Stephenson
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