A record-breaking shoal of brave festive bathers splashed out in the 2018 Tenby Boxing Day Swim. Over 700 swimmers stampeded into the calm waters of the resort’s North Beach – the highest number of entrants in the event’s 48-year history.
With an air temperature of 10 degrees and no wind chill, the swim also enjoyed some of its best-ever weather conditions. However, seasoned swimmers reckoned that the sea – with a temperature of 7 degrees – made for a chillier dip than last year. Thousands of spectators packed the beach and lined every vantage point to enjoy the silly spectacle of the charity event.
The fancy dress theme of Space Travel attracted some out-of-this-world costumes, with aliens, Star Wars, the planets and even a giant space rocket making an appearance.
Said Tenby’s mayor, Councillor Sue Lane: “Just how wonderful is the Tenby Boxing Day Swim! This morning has been absolutely brilliant and there are more people here than ever. I’ve spoken to visitors from all over the world.”
Commemorative medals, hot soup and a beach bonfire greeted the swimmers as they emerged from the sea.
The swim is organised by Tenby Sea Swimming Association, whose nominated charities for the 2018 event were the Huntington’s Disease Association, Tenby RNLI and the Stroke Association.
Swimmers also collected for their own charities and good causes, which included the Samaritans, COPD, Mind, Epilepsy Action and the Royal British Legion. In all, the event raised nearly £8,300.
The swim was sponsored by FBM Holidays, Harbour Wealth Management and Princes Gate Spring Water.
