Tynemouth man inspires people around the world to brave the sea ahead of 100th day of challenge

A dedicated man has been going in the sea at Tynemouth every single day - and his devotion has inspired hundreds to join him.

Sol Kosepinar, 42, set himself a challenge to take a dip in the icy sea at King Edward’s Bay every morning for 100 days in a row, sharing his progress in a local Facebook group, and has almost completed the ambitious task.

Sol credits his mornings in the sea with improving his mental health, saying that “it helps you to find strength in the deepest part of you”, and has encouraged others who may be struggling with their mental health to accompany him.

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Dozens of locals from the North East coast have since taken up daily dips at the beach after being inspired by Sol, and several have said that the experience has improved their mental health.

“Once you’re in there, it’s a life-changing experience,” says Young Ashy, 25, from Newcastle. “All your fears, all your worries, all your anxieties - everything just goes. It’s a great way to bring people from different communities, backgrounds and cultures together.”

Sarah Goldsborough, 35, from Whitley Bay, started sea dipping when her anxiety, which she has lived with for fifteen years, came to a head after she sadly suffered her second miscarriage.

Sol has encouraged others to join him from across the North East (Chronicle Live)

“I didn’t want to go out of the house, I didn’t want to speak to anybody, I was having panic attacks,” Sarah recalls. “I just knew that my body needed a shock to the system. I needed to break myself out of that cycle.”

Sarah joined Sol to reconnect with others after feeling secluded and alone. “I’ve met all these incredible people along the journey,” she says. “We’re all suffering battles that nobody else really knows.

“It’s so powerful - it just brings us together, and makes us realise that there is light at the end of the tunnel. You’ve just got to keep going.”

Many have ventured into the sea as a way of improving their mental wellbeing (Chronicle Live)

Tove Crossland, from Newcastle, also decided to take up sea swimming after suffering from poor mental health, having been diagnosed with PTSD.

Tove runs Ocean Zen, a wellbeing centre in Whitley Bay set up to improve the physical and mental health of the local community, and says that she has been recommending dips in the sea to her customers.

“It just feels euphoric - that’s the only way I can put it,” Tove says. “Once you’ve been in, you want to go back to it.”

Marnie Merrilees, 49, who takes part in the daily dips, works for mental wellbeing service Thrive, who have joined forces with Sol to further help people suffering from mental health issues.

Thrive will be offering information and advice to beachgoers on February 26, when Sol has invited people to join him to celebrate the final day of his challenge.

“After the lockdown, people are coming out of feeling really socially isolated - a lot of people have felt disconnected from people,” Marnie points out.

“What this group has done is bring like-minded people together who can share the experience of what they enjoy - but also we have such a laugh, we have such a giggle,” she says. “It’s so uplifting - it’s a fantastic way to start your day.”

Members of the group say that it has helped them to connect with their community (Chronicle Live)

Sol says that he has been inundated with messages since taking up the challenge, and that people have contacted him from all corners of the globe to tell him that his story has inspired them to try cold water therapy.

“I feel happier [to have] touched someone’s life in a positive way,” Sol says. “We all need a bit more connection and kindness.”

“Nobody’s dream growing up is to be an alcoholic, an addict, lonely, or sad. Everybody is going through something in life,” Sol says, admitting that he has suffered struggles of his own which the cold water has helped him to cope with.

“Get yourself out there,” Sol urges to anyone thinking of braving the sea, promising that the dipping group is a place to “feel beautiful, welcomed, seen and heard”.

Sol is inviting people to join him for his 100th day dip at King Edward's Bay on February 26 (Chronicle Live)

Sol has set up a group on Facebook dedicated to gathering people together to celebrate the 100th day of his challenge in Tynemouth, which has gained over 800 members so far.

He vows to continue venturing into the sea even after his challenge ends, and hopes to continue inspiring others to take up the invigorating hobby.

Sol and his fellow dippers will be on the beach at King Edward’s Bay on Saturday, February 26, at 10am to mark the end of his challenge, and are welcoming anyone to join them.

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