Tenby Boxing Day Swim

TENBY BOXING DAY SWIM

26th December 2008

Sponsored by
FBM Holidays
Pembrokeshire's premier cottage letting agency.

More than 590 Boxing Day bathers splashed away their Christmas excesses when they took the traditional festive plunge in Tenby.

The 2007 Tenby Boxing Day Swim, sponsored by FBM Holidays, took to the water for the 37th year in succession, and attracted thousands of spectators who poured into the town and lined every viewpoint overlooking the North Beach.

Tim Brace of FBM Holidays described the spectacle as ‘fantastic’. “There is a very big market for people visiting the area at Christmas, whether for holidays or to see family and friends, and the swim is an important part of the unique package that Tenby has to offer,” he said.

2007s' fancy dress theme of 'Children's Favourites' saw Hagrid, Noddy, Robin Hood,Snow White and Three Blind Mice amongst the dippers. Others decided that the temperature of 10 degrees was positively tropical after the previous week's wind-chill, and opted to take to the water in bikinis and bathing costumes.

Raft, canoe, longboat and sailing races preceded the stampede of swimmers for the sea, with Tenby's inshore and all-weather lifeboats launching to greet the brave bathers. There was also a flying visit from a Sea King helicopter, out on exercise from RAF Chivenor. Commemorative medals were presented to all participants around a warming bonfire.

The Tenby Boxing Day Swim is organised by the Tenby Sea Swimming Asssociation, whose chairman, Chris Osborne, said "The weather was excellent, and we welcomed a fantastic turnout of swimmers and a massive crowd of spectators, who all contributed to that special Tenby Boxing Day Swim atmosphere."

The headline charities for the 2007 swim were, The Gareth Scotcher Trust Fund - raising money for the family of a young Tenby father with Motor Neurone Disease; the Paul Sartori Foundation 'Hospice at Home'; Diabetes UK and Macmillan Nurses.

A £17,000 boost for dozens of charities has resulted from the efforts of over 600 Boxing Day bathers in Tenby and further afield. With 593 swimmers taking the plunge in Tenby, 14 braving a gale in Virginia, USA and a further 3 having a chilly time in Boston, USA, the Tenby Boxing Day Swim's medal total swelled to its best ever. In its 37-year history, the event - organised by the Tenby Sea Swimming Association - has grown to to be ranked as one of Britain's top festive highlights and has collected more than £170,00 for charities and good causes.

WATCH THE VIDEO!
Western Telegraph video

*Fancy dress winners: Adult individual – China Fish, Narberth (Holly’s Circus Sideshow); Mixed group – Lewis family, Lawrenny (Noddy and friends); Child individual – Loren Bowen, Haverfordwest (Harry Potter); Child group – Tenby Junior School (Tenby Junior sweets); Adult group – Nutty Nine Nativity.

For a sponsor form for the 2008 swim, please fill in your details above and start building up your sponsorship.
Click HERE to see photos of some of this years brave swimmers.

FBM Holidays, Pembrokeshire’s premier cottage letting agency, is proud to be the sponsor of one of Wales’ top festive highlights – the Tenby Boxing Day Swim.

If you’re looking for somewhere to stay, then click HERE for the best self-catering accommodation in Pembrokeshire.

Over the years, the swims – organised by the Tenby Sea Swimming Association – have brought in nearly £150,000 for local and national good causes.

And what better inspiration than to view our superb gallery of pictures from the spectacular 2007 Tenby Boxing Day Swim, taken by Gareth Davies Photography (07836334436).

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