Always respect the power of nature, particularly the sea.

I don't think these swims can be banned - as that goes against our personal freedom.

Society is getting steadily more and more "controlling" and enormously so 2020 onwards and it has to be remembered we are all sovereign beings and it's up to us what we do and when - as long as no-one else is physically or financially harmed by it. So it does have to remain up to people themselves what they do in this respect. It's not for me - no thanks! I like my comfort thanks all the same and wouldnt even want to be an onlooker at such an event (as I like being in the warmth thanks very much.....). But I wouldnt seek to deny someone else the chance to do that - and I do know just how many people would find a way to keep doing what they've decided and think it much the better that people can still decide whether to go on these public mass swims or no - if only because they'll just go off and find private little coves if they were prevented from using the usual beaches.

Dreadfully sorry for their families. loved ones made their own mind up against experts opinion. Maybe in future signs and cordoning off the beach could happen but I dont know if that's possible. Very sad indeed.

I do the Christmas Day swim every year. The one at my town is well organised you pay a small fee which goes to charity there is a lifeboat straight in front ( very close in ) of the area that is cordoned off for entering the water and the entrance area is probable about 30 + feet wide so everything is very well controlled

The swim in question in Devon is not an organised one it is just a tradition, the area they were all entering looked very wide and much more difficult to control .

I chose not to go in this year a combination of a rough throat, and the high winds/ waves I was very disappointed but I know if I was knocked down by those waves I would have trouble getting on my feet and getting up before the next one hit and could drag me under.

I feel so so sorry for those guys and their families , to see your husband/ dad/ son go off for a bit of fun and never see them again is unbelievable and on Christmas morning too
A lot of people had to be rescued from that particular swim but I imagine those two men dived in instead of tip toeing in and would very quickly be pulled under
If their bodies are ever found they will be miles away

You have to respect the sea

That particular swim and any in towns where there is no control should be stopped in my opinion

My mum was a bit of a nutjob re swimming in freezing cold seas in big waves. No thought of danger. Here it is more sharks and jellyfish you need to be aware of besides the riptides and currents. Where we used to swim has developed very strong undertows for some reason so you get swept off your feet. Overseas visitors still tend to swim there with little children which is madness.

I love going into the sea, but if the advice says dont go in, why on earth would you?
Tragic for all involved and my heartfelt sympathy to the families. They must be asking the same questions too.

Yep indeed daft and I know the area concerned - because I'm from that area. Those waves looked rather wild to me and wilder than I've personally seen them ever.

People should be aware there's no shame in changing one's mind about doing something like going swimming if the waves look like that - not to mention it's particularly cold at this time of year. Who wants to be a dead "hero" after all? Better to be alive/an observer and having a tot of brandy to help warm up one's inside - rather than stubbornly sticking to "I've decided - and so I will".

Isn't the problem that people are making up their own minds pably15 ? And not doing it well.

A couple of years ago during some bad storms I watched a cam from Whitby showing the waves coming up over the road. People were going out onto a little jetty and playing chicken with the waves. One couple even took two young children with them, one in a pushchair. They couldn't get back to the road through the waves without risking being washed off the jetty and some local police and RNLI volunteers had to go out onto the jetty to get them back. Utter stupidity not to mention risking other peoples' lives.

it's so very sad that people have lost their lives, and families can never again feel the same at Christmas, surely people can make up their own minds whether to endanger their lives or not,they were advised not to swim, it was very stupid , and for what. and what about the rescuers who had to give up their Christmas day to search for them?

It’s tragic but down to individual choice. There are claims of growing anger that the swim was allowed to go ahead but people must take responsibility for themselves. I find it incomprehensible that anyone would try and swim in the sea in such conditions.

A terrible tragedy all round and so unnecessary.

Foolhardy, unfortunately. And sad of course. But I wish people would listen to expert advice.

Sadly certain people just follow a fashion regardless and don't educate themselves about the rules and dangers. I know someone like this and have observed it first hand [they've already had health issues arise from wild swimming]. It's way to impress friends and sad to watch.

So sad for the families who have lost loved ones, and Christmas will hold sombre memories.

I'm afraid that some people just don't listen to well meant advice .
It is so sad .

It is sad but I agree healthy respect and if the experts say it’s unsafe it generally is

Sad but also stupid it has to be said… conditions were poor and advice ignored.

So, so sad.

It is increasingly popular and referred to as wild swimming or cold water swimming. People here are growing in numbers at their daily dip. Sadly because as Sarnia says unless you are brought up with a little knowledge and respect you never quite get the power of the sea.

Having been born and brought up on a small island I spent countless hours on the beach and in the sea. I was taught to enjoy the water but to have a healthy respect for it as Mother Nature has the upper hand all the time.
If you have ever watched Saving Lives at Sea, a documentary about the sterling work done by RNLI volunteers, you would probably be as surprised as me at the sheer stupidity of some people in ignoring all the warnings, put there for their own safety. There will always be some who must have a selfie against a backdrop of stormy seas and the surfboarders who cannot resist the mountainous waves. So sad for their families.