**Dawn at Penarth: Capturing the Soul of the Coast Through the Eyes of a Dedicated Photographer**
As the first hints of sunlight creep above the horizon, a small but devoted band of swimmers gathers each morning at Penarth beach, joined by the ever-watchful lens of local photographer James Richardson. Every day, regardless of the weather, James ventures out from his home opposite the seafront, camera in hand, to document the meeting of changing light, tides, and the intrepid Dawnstalkers—Penarth’s thriving sunrise swimming community.
This morning ritual took on special significance as dozens turned up to celebrate the summer solstice, the day when the sun reaches its highest point in the sky, gifting the longest daylight hours of the year to the northern hemisphere. Swimmers from Penarth and much further afield united at dawn, sharing in a tradition that has grown steadily in recent years and is now immortalised through James’s evocative images.
The roots of the Dawnstalkers stretch back to the pandemic, when local Grant Zehetmayr began taking solitary early morning dips, regardless of the season. Word spread, and soon a community formed around the shared love of bracing cold water, gentle comradery, and the unrivalled beauty of daybreak by the sea. For many, the act of gathering at the water’s edge and plunging into the often chilly Bristol Channel is both a grounding ritual and an exhilarating start to the day.
James Richardson’s dedication to documenting the group has given rise to a striking photographic record. His images showcase the ever-shifting moods of the coastline at dawn: seas that glow with violet and crimson hues one morning, and burn with orange and gold the next. The dramatic transformation of light and colour across the horizon is unpredictable and, for many, utterly addictive. Some Dawnstalkers travel from as far as Wiltshire; one former swimmer was so inspired by James’s images that she moved from Lancashire to Penarth to join the community.
Variety is ingrained in every aspect of these coastal mornings. The conditions can range from glass-calm seas to lively, wind-ruffled waves. Swimmer accounts describe everything from treading across frosty seaweed in the winter, breath snatched away by the biting cold, to the relative warmth of mid-summer dips when August and September bring seawater up to 16.7°C. In contrast, March water temperatures can plunge to an average of 8.3°C, making the ritual an impressive feat of endurance.
The unique geography of Penarth pier, shaped by shifting tides that swing dramatically between very low and very high, adds another variable to the Dawnstalkers’ experience. Sometimes the group must traverse muddy stretches, at other times smooth pebbles or the gentle slope of the pier’s slipway. For James, these altering backdrops are a source of ongoing fascination. “The light at dawn is always different and depends on the clouds and mist,” he explains. “Each day presents new photographic challenges—it’s never the same scene twice.”
The time just before sunrise, known in photography circles as the “blue hour,” is a particular favourite. In these fleeting moments, the sky glows a soft blue, before bursting into a spectacular tableau of reds, pinks, oranges and purples as the sun crests the horizon. Such scenery has made James’s work popular well beyond the seafront; he regularly shares his photographs on Instagram via accounts @halfit0.5 and @dawnstalkers.
Community spirit is at the heart of this remarkable phenomenon. From post-swim coffees at Penarth seafront’s mobile café to celebrations shared out in the water, the Dawnstalkers have fostered a welcoming environment. For some, the group has been nothing short of transformative—a new member, inspired by James’s photography, moved across the country to Penarth and is now set to marry him. Others have founded offshoot groups like the ‘Moon Mermaids’, dedicated to moonlit swims.
James’s body of work, which chronicles every season and weather condition the coast can offer, is set to go on display in an exhibition at Penarth pier in September, celebrating the energy and unity of the Dawnstalkers. For those curious about joining or learning more, information is readily available online, and the group’s regular posts invite everyone to share in the beauty and camaraderie of these dawn swims.
As the sun continues its climb after the solstice, James and the Dawnstalkers remain steadfast in their ritual, capturing and living out moments of wild, Welsh beauty in the most elemental way—one sunrise at a time.