While you were sleeping this morning, 321 brave souls (a Canberra record) plunged head-first into Lake Burley Griffin’s 6-degree water while the apparent temp was wavering in negative territory.

There were reports of squeals of joy, however, these could also have been shrieks of pain – you decide. The start of the event at sunrise was quite serene, as participants wandered down to Yarralumla Beach from the car park along a candle-lined pathway.

A bagpiper piped, a siren sounded, and then there was mayhem as 321 bare-bottomed people with no inhibitions charged towards the icy water.

Lifeline’s social media and event coordinator, Alanah MacMahon, says records were broken on two fronts with the most people and the most money raised – $45,000 and counting. Donations are open until 30 June.

“It was just electric, the vibes in the air were so fantastic,” Alanah says. “It was zero degrees, apparent temperature minus-1.2 degrees. It was stunningly clear and we had the most beautiful sunrise, no frost at all, we were very lucky. There were a lot of very comfortable people standing around chatting around the fire, getting to know one another.”

Most people were in and out of the water within 30 seconds.

“I wasn’t ready for the noise but the sound of 300 people getting into minus-degree temperature water all at the same time,” Alanah says. “It was unreal, they ran forward and everyone dove in headfirst. I have a feeling the people who do this are definitely the ballsy kind.”

Ned and Josh from Hit 104.7 also took the plunge, albeit a little later at 9am and with boardshorts on. The expletives uttered cannot be printed here.

Donations to Lifeline can still be made at: whttp://www.wintersolsticeswim.comww.wintersolsticeswim.com

Get all the latest Canberra news, sport, entertainment, lifestyle, competitions and more delivered straight to your inbox with the Canberra Daily Daily Newsletter. Sign up here.