On a chilly morning with temperatures at 2C, the sea at St Andrews bore witness to a powerful display of female solidarity as hundreds of women gathered for the International Women’s Day swim. As participants entered the water, they chanted in unison: ‘I am strong. I am beautiful. I am free.’ The event, organized by the Bob & Blether group, went beyond the traditional swim, turning into a full-fledged celebration of sisterhood and community support.

A Festival of Empowerment

Unlike the usual IWD swim at Portobello, this event at St Andrews featured a silent disco on the beach, workshops, talks, and even stress-busting sessions. The lineup included poet Donna Ashworth, who delivered words of bravery and togetherness, and Nati Dredd, who performed music that resonated with the crowd. The event also included sessions on gut health and the use of crystals for healing, making it a unique blend of wellness and empowerment.

Caroline Blair, co-founder of Bob & Blether and a television presenter, said the community support has been incredible. ‘From workshop providers to food donations and raffle contributions, the power of people working together has been truly inspiring,’ she said. ‘Our International Women’s Day event is the cornerstone of our calendar and we’re thrilled to partner with the Old Course Hotel Golf Resort & Spa again for this year’s celebration.’

Charity Focus and Community Impact

The event raised over £25,000 for local charities, including Women’s Aid Fife, Women’s Aid Dundee, and Women’s Aid Angus. The money will support their services for women and children in need. Amber Wright, a children’s support worker from Women’s Aid Angus, said the donations are vital for their operations. ‘We depend on things like this. Not just big events, but small donations too,’ she said.

Food for the event was donated by local businesses such as The Tailend and Taste, St Andrews, highlighting the event’s commitment to supporting local enterprises. The funds raised will also go toward the Castle Sands Restoration Project, a partnership with the Hamish Foundation aimed at improving the tidal pool in St Andrews.

Tradition and Community Spirit

Meanwhile, the IWD swim at Portobello continues to thrive, with Jo Myles, a yoga teacher and founder of a group that started with sunrise swimming during the pandemic, organizing the event. Myles said the swim is about solidarity and community. ‘This is about women getting together for women, and the cause speaks for itself,’ she said. ‘It is almost sad that we still need to have a day like this when we think about everything from domestic abuse to pay gap issues between men and women.’

The Portobello swim is a free event, with participants donating to charities of their choice. Despite the cold, the event has become a tradition, with swimmers turning up even when it was canceled due to extreme weather in previous years.

Back at St Andrews, the Bob & Blether group has grown significantly since its inception. What started with six friends enjoying a swim in the North Sea has now grown to 150 members. This year’s event is the fourth and biggest yet. Jamie Craig Gentles, co-founder of Bob & Blether, said the event is about creating safe and warm spaces where women can connect and feel empowered. ‘Seeing the impact ripple out over the past four years reminds me exactly why we started,’ he said.

The International Women’s Day swim has faced criticism for becoming overly commercialized, with brands co-opting the day for marketing purposes. However, both the swim and the day itself remain a vessel for individuals to express their values and support causes that matter to them. Whether it’s for political statements, charitable donations, or personal empowerment, the event continues to resonate with participants.

The sense of community and solidarity is what keeps the event going. ‘Get in and out of the water together that is that cold, and you’re going to feel like a big, bold sisterhood,’ said one participant. The swim remains a powerful symbol of unity and resilience, proving that the spirit of International Women’s Day continues to thrive in unexpected ways.