Join us for our Third Annual Pumpkin Head swim!
How did it all start?
Kyla loves Halloween! And we both love an excuse to go all-in with fancy dress.
In 2022, she had a mad idea...which she knew I would say "Hell, yes!" to. And so began our Pumpkin Head Swim tradition.
Over the last couple of years, we invited friends and anyone mad enough to put a pumpkin on their head, to join us.
Want to join us this year?
📌 Helens Bay Beach
Meet at 3pm, ready to dip at 3.15pm
Be creative! Whether your style is creepy, playful, sinister, silly, artistic, cute. A big part of the fun of this event is seeing all the different styles!
One of the reasons we love the pumpkin head as a costume is that it can be zero waste. You can make delicious Autumnal dishes from the flesh. Roast the seeds to eat yourself, or feed them to birds, or harvest them to plant in April to grow your own pumpkin for next year! After the swim, your carved pumpkin is ready to go as decoration in your window / doorstep. After Halloween, you can compost it or leave it for wildlife to eat 🎃
Our top tips are:
1) pick a giant pumpkin (you'll be surprised how much bigger your head is than you think)
2) if you can't find a pumpkin big enough to fit over your head, you can carve out the back of the pumpkin to create some more room, while having the illusion of a full pumpkin head from the front
3) carve your pumpkin head on the morning of the swim, or the night before...they can get mushy and soft if carved too early
4) you might want to wear a swimming cap to cover your hair
5) the heads are heavy to swim with. The safest thing is to stay standing, well within your depth. Leave the pumpkin head on the beach if you want to swim
6) please use the pumpkin flesh for soup / curry / salads and seeds
This year we're fundraising for Action Mental Health. Donations if you're able to are appreciated!
Ask away with any questions you have 🎃
🚨 By joining this event, you're doing so at your own risk. Make sure to bring a towel, warm layers, a hot drink, something sweet to eat and a woolly hat for after the dip. I'm a big fan of a hot water bottle to help warm up afterwards. The water temperatures are dropping!
Also check out other Sports events in Carrickfergus, Health & Wellness events in Carrickfergus.
