First major nude ocean swim held Down Under

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Published time: February 18, 2013 13:29
Edited time: February 18, 2013 17:29

The world's first nude ocean swim, the Sydney Skinny, has attracted around 1,000 daredevils from babies to adults with the organizers claiming the eventraised as much as $15,000 for charity.

The Australian media reports the participants ranging from baby to adult lined up at 8am on Sunday to make the 900-meter swim in Sydney's Middle Harbour. It was not an event for nudists, organizer Nigel Marsh told Fairfax Media, but a chance for people who wouldn't normally get naked to try something new.

''There was an 89-year-old bloke, someone flew in from overseas, there were four paraplegics, a double amputee, there were fat people, thin people, young and old,'' The Sidney Morning Herald quoted Marsh as saying.

Marsh says the Bondi to Bronte ocean swim, which he made more than 10 years ago, changed his life as he was dreaming to organize something similar though with a difference.

''It was just joyous,'' said Marsh, who plans to make the swim an annual event. ''I am floating on cloud nine. It is probably one of the nicest days of my life.''

The first ever nude ocean swim has been also a commercial success. The final amount raised is around $15,000 with the sum going to the Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife.