Tenby’s Boxing Day Swim - 26th December 2010.

THE BIG RED SWIM!

Sponsored by FBM Holidays

Pembrokeshire's Premier Cottage Letting Agency.

Report courtersy of Tenby Observer - Nearly 400 swimmers took to the water for the Big Red Swim from a snowy North Beach, where the fancy dress theme of ‘red’ brought out dragons, devils, ladybirds and even a big red bus. Over £11,500 was raised by the bathers, including £3,200 for Ty Hafan, the charity chosen by event organisers, Tenby Sea Swimming Association. “This special swim yet again proved to be stronger than the weather,” said TSSA chairman Chris Osborne. “Whilst snow may have deterred some of the swimmers and audience numbers of other years, the funds raised from sponsorship of the swimmers more than compensated.” The swim, sponsored by FBM Holidays, Celvac, Jago and Trefloyne Manor, has grown to be ranked as one of Britain’s top festive highlights, as well as a major fundraiser. The largest individual total was collected by the Mayor of Pembroke, Clr. Keith Nicholas, and a group of swimmers representing Pembroke Town Council, who raised £1,426 for the Mencap Gardens at Stackpole and were awarded the Idris Morgan Cup. The highest-sponsored junior swimmer, who won the Sue Lane Trophy, was Billy Drury, of Tenby, who raised £640.81. Swim stalwart Jane Hewitt, of Spittal, won the TSSA shield for the highest total raised for swim charities. She contributed £430, with a further £400 to Spittal Church. Jane and family members also won the Goscar Oscar for the highest sponsored group, raising £930. There were also a number of other superb fundraising efforts, including Pembrokeshire Special Needs Gym, who raised £595, the Osborne family with £605 and the £655 raised by Julie Jenkins and Nicole Evans and their families, in memory of their dad, Jock Best, who died on Boxing Day. TSSA also donated £200 each to the organisations who contribute to the smooth running of the swim - St. John Ambulance, Tenby Surflink, Tenby Coastguard, Tenby RNLI, Pembrokeshire Paddlers and Tenby Sea Cadets.  The swim, sponsored by FBM Holidays, Jago, Trefloyne Manor and Celvac, is also raising funds for its charities with the sale of prints of a Boxing Day swim scene by leading Welsh artist Claudia Williams. These are available from Tenby Museum and Art Gallery.

FBM Holidays is proud to be the sponsor of one of Wales’ top festive highlights – the Tenby Boxing Day Swim.

If you fancy something different this Christmas, then why not join the crowds on and around Tenby’s North Beach who come from far and wide to enjoy the silly spectacle of the annual festive dip, now in its 41st year. This event has raised nearly £180,000 over the years.

Fun on the beach starts at 11am with a canoe race, crazy raft race and bonfire. The big plunge is at 11.30am, with hundreds of crazy bathers – many in fancy dress – stampeding for the sea.

Click HERE for details of the next charity Boxing Day Swim.

TSSA chairman Chris Osborne – whose family has been associated with the swim since its beginnings – has seen the event take place in every weather condition, from brilliant sunshine to freezing wind-chill. And he admitted that each year, the organisers never fail to be amazed by its growing success and popularity.

Said Chris: “It’s a magnetic spectacle to see the dash of madness, as the chilling waters of Carmarthen Bay are invaded by a multi-coloured mass of squeals, shouts and giggles. Is there a better way of breaking out of that Christmas slumber? Every year, the swim surpasses previous numbers of swimmers, spectators and, perhaps most significantly, contribution to local and national charities, which justifies the whole extravaganza.”

Sponsor forms can be downloaded from HERE or collected from the Fourcroft Hotel, Tenby.

Tim Brace, Partner of FBM Holidays and Chris Brace, Chairman of TSSA

Photos on this page courtesy Gareth Davies Photography.