RAIN poured and wind blew, but it was not enough to deter eight young men from making a splash in the Newcastle ocean baths on Monday afternoon.
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Members of the Macedonian Orthodox Community gathered at the water's edge under their umbrellas in trying conditions to watch the Blessing of the Waters ceremony.
The celebration is held annually to honour the Baptism of Jesus.
Participants take the plunge in the hope of retrieving a blessed holy cross from the depths.
Onlookers watched as Priest Peco Petrovski threw the holy cross into the water.
Ethan Talevski, 12, was the lucky jumper who was first to find the cross and lifted it proudly onto the shoulders of his fellow jumpers.
‘‘I tried my hardest and hoped for the best’’, said a delighted Ethan.
‘‘It’s a wonderful feeling!’’
President of the community Chris Topevski said someone so young doesn’t often come out succesfully, making it an exciting achievement for Ethan's family.
Mr Topevski said that even though there weren’t as many spectators as usual due to unfortunate weather, it was still a day everyone in the Macedonian community had been eagerly anticipating.
