With all previous records broken, more than 680 swimmers took the traditional Christmas morning dip in the sea at Sandy Bay Porthcawl whilst an estimated 3000 spectators cheered them on. 

With a crowded beach Porthcawl Coastguards fired a maroon to signal the run down the beach from the Hi-Tide Inn to the sea at 11.45am.  The procession of swimmers of all ages, male and female, were applauded as the spectators gave their full support to this the 42nd event. Swimmers from all over the UK and even Hong Kong and Australia took part. Veteran swimmer Ken James of Ogmore Vale, Bridgend, claimed to be the oldest entrant at 80 and 27 previous Christmas swims to his credit. At the other end of the age spectrum there were many young children and their parents taking part. The swim is a truly family event with many different generations of the same family taking to the water.

Collections are made during carol singing and during the swim itself. A spokes person from the swim Committee, Ian Stroud, said, “This has been our most successful swim ever, and the number of people that turned up was fantastic, it far exceeded our expectations especially as the day was overcast.  We hope the collections will surpass previous years and with many swimmers being sponsored this year there should be even more financial support for local organisations. As a small committee we are delighted the way we have been supported once again this year, I would like to thank all swimmers, spectators, individuals, businesses and organisations who help in so many ways to make the swim such a successful event in the towns calendar.  The atmosphere this year was very special, one couple who had never attended before came to speak to committee member, Marilyn Richards and said they had never experienced such an event and would definitely be back next year with their swim wear. To have such a crowded beach, at this time of the year goes to prove that some of our departed founder swimmers were looking down on us and allowing very reasonable conditions for a swim that saw more people in the water than on most summer days”.