The swimmers were seen breaking the ice with a hammer before taking a bracing dip
SWNSGeorgeJones (George Jones)
14:37, 11 Jan 2026
The swimmers broke the ice with a hammer before taking the plunge(Image: )
Brave cold water swimmers broke the ice of a frozen reservoir with a hammer before going for a bracing dip. Photographer Craig Hannah, 57, spotted the hardy pair while taking photos on the Pennines between Marsden and Saddleworth on Saturday.
At Redbrook Reservoir, which had been completely frozen over, he discovered two wild swimmers.
The pair, believed to be locals, were seen using a hammer to hack away at the thick ice before taking the plunge.
The freeze came after Storm Goretti brought heavy snow and sub-zero temperatures to the UK last week.
Craig, who is a part-time photographer, from Saddleworth, said: “It is a tradition for people to swim in these moors. But I was surprised I saw anyone with how cold it has been.
“It was around -2°C when I was there and it was freezing.”
He added: “I was stood admired for about 15 minutes watching them break the ice. When they finally entered, the pair seemed so peaceful.”