The community’s passion of sea swimming during lockdown has been captured and celebrated in new book.

Simon Jordan of West Bay was swimming early each morning as lockdown began to ease and started to see regular faces at the Bay. People of all ages from 35 to 76 were meeting up between 6am and 8am to take a dip in the sea and in all weathers.

Simon said: “I was struck by how happy, energised and refreshed everyone was after swimming in the sea.”

Simon decided to capture the swimmers by photographing them as they emerged from the sea.

“It was so wonderful to be allowed to photograph the spirit of these early morning swimmers,” he added. “I wanted to document this time during the pandemic and to celebrate our little community and the joy the sea gave us all.”

The book, Wild Swimming Through Lockdown, shows each person and explains why they swim, with most saying that it’s for wellbeing and it makes them feel alive.

He said: “We have swimmers who have had hip replacements and some others new knees, but it hasn’t stopped them taking their morning dip.

“We have even got a small group of NHS nurses who come down for a dip before work and some who had never swam before. We all agreed that its life affirming.

“Chatting to them and listening to their stories was wonderful. We didn’t know each other at first but the sea brough us all together.”

Simon decided that the book should also benefit others, so all profits are going to a local mental health charity in Bridport, The Burrough Harmony Centre.

For more information and details on how to get a copy of the book, visit WildSwimmingBook.com