On May 1, 2026, hundreds of students from St Andrews University participated in the annual May Dip, a tradition aimed at bringing good luck in exams. However, many students expressed discomfort due to photographers capturing images of them without consent.
The event occurs at East Sands at dawn. Students run into the North Sea as part of this ritual. While it is meant to cleanse academic sins, the presence of photographers has raised significant ethical questions.
Key concerns:
- Students reported feeling targeted, particularly female students in swimwear.
- More than 60% of adults in the UK experience negative feelings about their body image.
- Many participants voiced that being photographed without permission feels invasive.
Anna, a student who attended the event, stated, “It ruined my night.” She added, “It felt like it was just girls in bikinis getting pictures taken.” Olivia echoed these sentiments, saying, “They know what they’re doing; they know exactly who they’re picking out.” Such remarks highlight the discomfort surrounding photography ethics during student rituals.
The university has warned students about press photographers present during the May Dip. Despite these warnings, many still feel unprepared for unwanted attention.
The May Dip is also tied to local lore as a remedy for the legendary curse of Patrick Hamilton. This adds another layer of significance to an already important tradition for students.
As discussions continue regarding photography ethics and body image issues at university events like this, it remains unclear how policies might change to protect student privacy in future iterations of this beloved tradition.
