Each December Prince Albert II takes part in the traditional 'Bain de Noël' on Larvotto beach but this year it took bravery, following our recent snow falls. As you can imagine, the water of the Mediterranean was really cold but this year the watching crowd had a treat when Prince Albert brought along his beautiful long-time companion, Charlene Wittstock, the South African Olympic swimmer. Another member of the Royal Family of Monaco, Pierre Casiraghi, son of Princess Caroline, took part too. They all took to the sea for a full 10 minutes and afterwards Charlene met Woolite the sheep, dressed as Santa Claus. The swim raised 1200 euros for the Thai After Tzunami Schooling Aid charity.Regular readers of this blog have met Woolite before - she's the sheep who swims in the sea, is the mascot of Les Foulées Roquebrunoises (runners) and, of course, is Philippe Mazza's constant companion. Woolite has her own blog HERE. Thanks Philippe for the photos.
Crazy! They are so brave.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like have a lot of fun, Fun, for royalty or common people! This is a great catch!
ReplyDeleteI think this is the second time you have had Prince Albert at an event within the past month. I guess that is a benefit of having a Royal family in a small country. It is nice to see them mixing with people at events like this. You don't normally see a bare chested Royal.
ReplyDeleteThere are some Royalties who would NOT do this! :-)
ReplyDeleteAnyway, this is:
Fun - crazy - and a unique shot!
At first, I thought it was a meeting of the Polar Bear Club.
ReplyDeleteThe Prince needs a Christmas hat, it looks a bit cold. Great event and good photo.
ReplyDeleteAre those photographers in front of you from "Paris Match" magazine? You have a few photo of Prince Albert II but I haven't seen any photos of Princess Caroline or Princess Stephanie??
ReplyDeleteAt least the sheep has a warm sweater! Looks like fun.
ReplyDeleteThey are not my photos, Leif. As you'll see I thank Philippe for them - owner of Woolite the sheep. I was snowed in on this day else they would have been mine.
ReplyDeleteThey are all so happy!! I don't see anyone shivering.
ReplyDelete"Chapeau" to everyone who joined this event!
ReplyDeleteBarbara / Germany
I cannot imagine doing this!!! Bravo to them all!. I love Woolite!
ReplyDeleteV
I remember this tradition from one of your posts last year. I suppose it's no different than winter saunas, but I wonder about the mental stability of those who take part. But, wait! While teaching and taking part in an annual winter outing with middle schoolers years ago, I participated in a sauna, followed by a dip in a lake immediately following. My hair froze and socks stuck to the cement floor after I emerged and tried to get dressed in an outdoor shelter before returning to the cabins. My knees were scraped and bloody as I hurriedly scurried out of the water through the round hole, surrounded by jagged edges. Never again!! And, one wonders why I dislike winters so much??
ReplyDeleteKate's story is a horror one! Yuk!
ReplyDeleteThis by comparison looks like a fairly mild experience. However, knowing how cold it's been in Avignon, I cringe at the idea of a dip in the Med!
Brave people indeed. But maybe it's not as bad as it looks, their lips aren't blue yet :-)
Of course, this is madness, but there are people who are crazier still. The Polar Bear Club in New York City goes swimming in the Atlantic at Coney Island beach on New Year's Day. No wet suits. There is a group here that goes water skiing in the Mississippi on the same day, with wet suits but a much longer time in the water. One of them always has his dog out on the river with him. Pas moi.
ReplyDeleteKate, what a story. Get on a plane to Mazatlan immediately! I know you would if you could...
ReplyDeleteYou wouldn't get me in that cold water, charity or no charity. It's bad enough going out in the cold dressed in hats and scarfs, never mind Speedos! I guess that they mean by having blue blood!
ReplyDeleteA spectacular shot, I feel cold even reading the story.
ReplyDelete