The winter solstice nude charity swim 2025
There was a record number of swimmers and donations last year, and we’re looking to raise more money for 2025.
Help us support mental health awareness and to raise vital funds for LifeLine, the swim has raised more than $275,000 for charity in its short history - help us reach our 2025 target of $500,000.
Registrations are NOW open for THE 2025
Winter Solstice Nude Charity Swim
The swim will be held on Saturday 21 June 2025 at 7.12am at Yarralumla Beach, ACT.
The swim raises money for Lifeline and encourages swimmers to wash away negativity and feel a sense of renewal for the upcoming solar year by stripping off and swimming in the chilly waters of Lake Burley Griffin on the shortest day of the year.
100% of donations go to Lifeline.
We would like to thank Region for coming onboard as the 2025 Media Partner.
What do funds raised by the Nude Solstice Swim support?
Funds raised by the Ian Lindeman Memorial Winter Solstice Swim directly support Lifeline Canberra’s 24/7 Crisis Support Service (13 11 14). Every dollar helps ensure that trained crisis supporters are available to answer calls from people experiencing distress or at risk of suicide — It is a clinical service, enrobed in compassion, offering hope, connection, and life changing support.
Why is it so important to keep the conversation going around mental health?
Mental health impacts us all, no one is immune. Ensuring the conversation around mental health reaches all corners of our community reduces stigma, encourages help-seeking, and reminds people they’re not alone. Events like the Nude Solstice Swim break down barriers through vulnerability, visibility, and community spirit—showing that courage comes in many forms.
Canberra-centric facts/stats around mental health/suicide.
Every week, we lose a Canberran to suicide. And every day, Lifeline Canberra's volunteers work tirelessly to prevent many more losses through connection and support. These statistics are heartbreaking—and they’re a reminder of how critical local, community-driven services like Lifeline Canberra are to saving lives.
Where
Yarralumla Beach, Lake Burley Griffin
When
SATURDAY 21 June 2025 @ 07:12AM
Sorry – no spectators
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A tribute to Ian Lindeman
Ian Lindeman founded the Winter Solstice Nude Charity Swim in 2017.
Ian was passionate about running an event that not only captured Canberra’s community spirit, but also gave participants the opportunity to re-invigorate their own spirit in the new solar year.
Ian wanted the event to support charities in the fight against cancer and mental illness. Now in its eighth year, the swim has raised more than $200,000 for Lifeline and other charities.
The event captures some of the exuberance, joy and verve that Ian had in his fortunate life. He loved travelling with his wife Gwenda, meeting friends, going to the Old Canberra Inn, having barbeques, and generally socialising. Swimming was also something Ian loved and practiced consistently throughout his life.
Ian lived in Canberra for the vast majority of his life, attending Lyneham High, playing rugby for Western Districts, and working at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
He passed away on 20 November 2019 from liver cancer.