Privacy Policy

Last updated: September 2026

Who we are

IceBreakers is a UK registered charity and free cold water dipping community for men, operating across the UK. Our website address is icebreakers.uk.

We are committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal data fairly, securely and transparently.

What data we collect

We collect only the personal information we need to run IceBreakers safely and effectively. This may include:

• Member and waiver information - including your name, contact details, emergency contact details and participation records
• Health and safety information - where you choose to tell us something relevant to your safe participation in an IceBreakers activity
• Safeguarding information - where a concern is raised that we need to record or respond to
• Contact form submissions - your name, email address and message when you contact us
• Donation information - processed securely through our third-party payment provider
• Email signups - your email address where you choose to receive IceBreakers news and updates
• Photos and video - where captured at IceBreakers gatherings or events in line with our photography and safeguarding procedures

How we use your data

We may use your personal information to:

• Run IceBreakers gatherings, activities and communities safely
• Maintain appropriate participation and waiver records
• Respond to health, safety or safeguarding concerns
• Contact you where reasonably necessary in connection with your participation
• Respond to enquiries
• Process donations
• Send you IceBreakers news and updates where you have chosen to receive them
• Improve our activities and community services

We only use personal information where we have an appropriate lawful basis under UK data protection law.

WhatsApp & community groups

IceBreakers uses WhatsApp to share information about gatherings and help our community stay connected.

Joining an IceBreakers WhatsApp group or channel is optional and isn't required to participate in IceBreakers.

WhatsApp is a third-party platform. If you choose to join one of our groups or channels, some of your profile information and activity may be visible to other members depending on the group, your interactions and your WhatsApp privacy settings.

Please be mindful about sharing personal or sensitive information within community groups. IceBreakers leaders oversee our community spaces and information may be recorded or escalated where necessary to respond to a safeguarding concern.

You can leave an IceBreakers WhatsApp group or channel at any time.

Data sharing

We do not sell, trade or rent your personal data.

We may share information with trusted service providers where necessary to operate IceBreakers, such as website, form, email, payment and communication providers.

We may also share relevant information where necessary to protect someone's safety, meet our safeguarding responsibilities or comply with a legal obligation.

How long we keep your data

We keep personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purpose for which it was collected, including where records need to be retained for safeguarding, insurance, legal or regulatory reasons.

Keeping your data secure

We take reasonable steps to protect personal information and limit access to those who need it for their role within IceBreakers.

Cookies and analytics

Our website uses a small number of essential cookies and similar storage needed to make the site work, such as remembering your cookie choice and keeping leaders signed in to the leaders area.

We also use Google Analytics to understand how the site is used so we can improve it. Google Analytics sets cookies and collects information such as the pages you visit, how long you spend on them, your approximate location and general details about your device and browser. These analytics cookies are only set if you accept them using the cookie banner, and you can withdraw that choice at any time by clearing the cookies and site data for icebreakers.uk in your browser settings.

We do not use advertising cookies and we do not run advertising pixels such as the Meta Pixel. We do not sell or share analytics data for advertising.

Some pages include content from other services, such as videos hosted by YouTube, maps from Google Maps and donation pages hosted by JustGiving. When you view or use that content, those providers may set their own cookies and receive information about your visit under their own privacy policies.

Your rights

Under UK data protection law, depending on the circumstances, you may have the right to:

• Access the personal data we hold about you
• Ask us to correct inaccurate information
• Ask us to delete your information
• Restrict or object to certain uses of your information
• Withdraw consent where we rely on consent
• Ask us to provide certain information in a portable format

You also have the right to raise a concern with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).

Contact us

If you have questions about this policy, want to exercise your data protection rights or have concerns about how your information is being handled, please contact us.