B-r-r-ave effort as employees take winter lake dip (+video)

CHILLING OUT: Scion staff go for a quick swim at Tikitapu (Blue Lake) to celebrate the shortest day. PHOTO/BEN FRASER

Most would not describe a rainy wet winter's day as "perfect conditions" for a dip - but Armin Thumm thinks that description is bang on.

Mr Thumm was one of about a dozen Scion employees who took a mid-winter dip yesterday as part of the company's two-decade long tradition to celebrate the shortest day, which is tomorrow.

The annual swim at Tikitapu (Blue Lake) takes place around the shortest day each year and started in 1996 as a challenge between two social groups at Scion, known then as the Forest Research Institute.

Mr Thumm has taken part for about 18 of those dips and admits it is a bit daft.

"It's crazy for a day."

The water temperature during yesterday's swim was 11.9C - quite a few degrees warmer than the coldest plunges in the event's history.

"It's very pleasant. There's no cold wind.

"This might be one of the best ones." he added.

While numbers were smaller than normal, a few of the group dressed up as part of the celebrations.