Coronavirus in Fife: Loony Dooks in Kirkcaldy and Kinghorn postponed

The annual New Year’s Day Loony Dook which has been popular in Kirkcaldy and Kinghorn for many years has been postponed due to coronavirus restrictions.

The event, which sees locals taking a bracing dip in the icy waters of the Forth in both towns on January 1 to raise funds for worthy causes, will not take place this weekend as a result of the pandemic.

But organisers are hoping to reschedule both dooks to another date later in 2021.

The Loony Dook in the Lang Toun has been organised by Kirkcaldy Rugby Club for the past decade, and normally takes place at noon on the beach behind the Basin car park on the Esplanade.

The new year's day loony dook on January 1, 2020 at Kirkcaldy beach - the event had a superhero theme. Pic: Fife Photo Agency.

But in a post on his Facebook page, Jimmy Bonner, former rugby club president, confirmed that the New Year day dip was off.

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He said: “Unfortunately due to Covid restrictions, the annual Lang Toon Loony Dook organised by myself /Kirkcaldy Rugby cannot be held.

"In the past ten years, rugby club members and friends have raised and gifted nearly £70,000 to great causes. My plan is to hold the Dook on a different date in the early part of 2021 when restrictions allow.

Members of Kirkcaldy Rugby Club headed into the cold water for the 2020 loony dook. Pic: Fife Photo Agency.

"There will be sponsor sheets available shortly. As always you are free to chose the cause your sponsor monies go too.”

But he added: “ The rugby club has been closed since February and is struggling financially so I propose the Dook money goes to the club this year as we are a registered charity and the clubhouse and facilities are used by several groups out with rugby matters."

Meanwhile, the New Year Loony Dook, hosted by Kinghorn RNLI at Kinghorn Beach, has also been postponed.

A spokesman for Kinghorn RNLI said: “Due to the current Covid restrictions we are unable to hold our very popular Loony Dook at Kinghorn which raises money for the RNLI. This is unfortunate as we have had an extremely busy 2020, responding to nearly 100 incidents.

Kinghorn RNLI Lifeboat Station kicked off 2020 in style with around 160 people jumping into the cold Firth of Forth to celebrate the new year. Pic: RNLI.

"We hope to launch our Summer Splash instead which will be held once restrictions are lifted. Keep an eye out on our Facebook page for more details.”

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