Naked participants at Australia's nude solstice swim

About 700 people posed nude to swim at the Australia's nude solstice swim.completely nude and coupled with the freezing temperatures,the participants plunge into Australia's Derwent River to mark the Southern Hemisphere's winter solstice.Photo of the nude participants after the cut,+18 only.

While speaking to mark the end of the event,Dark Mofo executive producer Kate Gould said she wasn’t disappointed with the 350 people that dropped out,

“This event is a celebration of the end of the longest night of the year and it is a time of renewal after all the time we have spent with Dark Mofo, celebrating together as a community,” she said.

“It’s throwing off your clothes and cleansing yourself for the year ahead.”

Twins Michael and Stephen Samson said they would fly down and brave the icy cold water again, after both made it halfway to the cones and back.

“We wanted to do something crazy for our 50th birthday, so we thought we’d go for a dip,” Michael said.

“It was great, it wasn’t as cold as I thought. I was in there for about 30 seconds.”

“It’s not a good sight to see, believe me,” Stephen added.

Mary Van Reyk said she didn’t last much longer than 15 seconds but was glad she took the plunge.

“My partner said I wouldn't do it so stubbornness is a major factor,” she said.

“I’ve had a bad year and we thought it would be like a rebirth and start the year again.”