Boxing Day & New Year’s Day Swims…

Tenby Boxing Day Swim has been going for five decades and is world famous. It is organised by the Tenby Sea Swimming Association and raises money for local, national and international charities as well as good news causes. There’s also a canoe race, crazy raft race and fancy-dress parade, along with a beach bonfire and hot soup to warm you up afterwards. It starts at 11am from Tenby North Beach. This year’s theme is Climate Change.

Pembrey Country Park Walrus Dip is held on the vast beach Cefin Sidan on Boxing Day. It starts at 11am but you need to be at the starting line for 10:45am. Fancy dress is strongly encouraged. Why not pick a theme and get your friends and family to dress up too?

The Boat Club in Newport, Pembrokeshire plays host to The Mayor’s New Year’s Day Dip. Expect to see the Mayor taking part and look forward to a mug of soup and a hot shower back at the Boat Club afterwards. Head to Parrog beach for 12pm.

Whitesands New Year’s Day Charity Swim is run by St Davids Penknife Club, a local charitable organisation. It is perhaps the most specular location for such a swim, and it is a popular one with boogie boarders. It starts at noon but be sure to get there for registration at 11am.

Saundersfoot New Year’s Day Swim has a leisurely start time of 12:30pm and the rules state you must be fully immersed when you take the plunge! It was started in 1984 and over a thousand people take part today-making it one of the most popular in the UK. You can expect to have a lot of fun at this event; there is lots of entertainment such as fireworks, a mass dance warm up and funny fancy dress competitions. You might even spot a famous face or two among those taking part.