**Cold Water, Warm Community: The Dawnstalkers of Penarth Welcome Sunrise Swimmers**
Long before most alarm clocks ring in Penarth, a distinct community has already gathered by the shoreline, ready to greet the day with a bracing dip in the sea. For those who join the Dawnstalkers, swimming at sunrise has become much more than an invigorating pastime – it’s a daily ritual and a lifeline to friendship, wellbeing, and personal renewal.
The streets are hushed and the sky only hinting at the coming dawn when the determined rise out of bed—sometimes as early as 4:29am—to wrap themselves in warm coats and venture seaside. For many, the hushed quiet of these early hours feels almost covert, as if they are sneaking away from the world to steal time for themselves. With every step down towards the water, anticipation builds, the silence pierced only by the gentle lapping of the sea and the occasional greeting from fellow swimmers.
Historically, few dared to take on the chilly waters off Penarth Beach, let alone at daybreak throughout the year. This scene changed dramatically with the formation of the Dawnstalkers—an open, informal group whose numbers have quietly swelled since the days of lockdown. What began as one man’s personal routine swiftly became a movement, propelled by social media and word of mouth until hundreds counted themselves as fellow sunrise swimmers.
Grant Zehetmayr, whose solitary swims in 2020 first attracted curious onlookers, admits he never set out to create a club. “The lack of structure during lockdown hit me hard. I needed something—so I started swimming at dawn,” Grant recounted. “Others saw me, wanted to join, and just like that, a community was born.” The group remains deliberately unstructured: there are no lists, no fees, and no official rules. Anyone, regardless of age or background, is welcome to join.
Among the familiar faces is Sarah-Jane Hocking, who moved from Lancashire specifically to join the group after seeing their photographs on social media. “I’ve found friends, my partner, and a sense of purpose,” she reflected. “It all started when someone sent me a Facebook post about the Dawnstalkers.” For many, the group offers not only exercise but also profound social connections. A swim at dawn can lead to lifelong bonds, shared laughs, and even weddings – Sarah-Jane is set to marry James Richardson, a regular who documents each sunrise through his lens.
Swimmers and supporters, spanning generations from children through to pensioners, are united by more than the water. For some, it’s the psychological benefits, as cold water immersion is increasingly linked to improved mental health. Others find spiritual solace, describing the experience of floating beneath a changing sky as an escape from hardship and a way to reconnect with the world around them.
The allure of the community is underscored by stories like that of the Menzies couple from Sully. “We only meant to try it once,” said Alison Menzies, “but we kept coming back. There is something very uplifting about the group, and the sheer variety of people is wonderful.” The group’s resilience is tested each winter as the temperature plummets—but hardy swimmers soldier on, equipped with hats and gloves and buoyed by the energy and camaraderie of their friends.
For many, the day’s swim concludes with a stop at Stol Coffee, a bright yellow, mobile café run by Piotr Skoczylas, himself a pandemic-era addition to the Dawnstalkers. Piotr’s presence, alongside his menu of cookies and free hugs, has become synonymous with the early morning ritual. “There’s a real sense of connection here,” he shares, pouring coffee for shivering swimmers as the first rays of sunlight break the horizon.
The annual highlight for the group arrives on the summer solstice, when hundreds gather for the year’s most magical morning swim, followed by communal celebrations on the sand. For Grant, Sarah-Jane, Piotr, and all those who have found their tribe at daybreak, the Dawnstalkers symbolise something far greater than exercise. They offer proof that on even the coldest, darkest mornings, community and purpose can be found floating just beyond the shoreline.
Whether it’s solitude or companionship that brings them to the water’s edge, the people of Penarth and beyond have discovered that the chilly embrace of the sea is best shared—and that with every dawn dip, new stories, friendships, and memories are made.