This year's 'heat wave' saw a marked increase in the number of kids and teenagers swimming in both the Liffey and Grand Canal. Newstalk's Raf Diallo even reported on the phenomenon and all its associated health risks. But for participants argue it can be an exhilarating, formative experience that is totally worth the risk. It's not a new trend, though, as this short film nostalgically articulates.

Becoming Men is a short film from Motherland Films that captures one of the more unusual sides of Dublin City in beautiful, stark black & white photography. Directed by Ross Killeen and edited by Joe Rigby, the film combines contemporary images of young Dubliners diving into the Grand Canal with a nostalgic, poetic voice-over from folklorist Terry Fagan.

The finished short is both bewitching and a little terrifying (those kids jumping off the crane are braver than I). You can watch the full video below: 

Becoming Men from Motherland on Vimeo.

(Image / video: Becoming Men, Motherland Films)