In a tradition that now attracts fellow swimmers all the way from Austria, the New Year’s Day plunge on the Opatija waterfront took place in surprisingly (but relatively!) mild conditions.
With water temperatures around 15 degrees, a few higher than most years, the brave menfolk in retro bathing costumes and Santa hats took a few slugs of Dutch courage in the form of sparkling wine, and then dove into the Adriatic.
The group, known as the Opatijski kukali, flock to the spot near the Maiden with the Seagull statue, a beach known as Slatina. As well as swimming around for as long as their bodies would let them, once back on shore, bathers sent best wishes to all for 2024.