Organisers are expecting a record attendance at Porthcawl’s 44^th Christmas Morning Swim this year.  Last year proved to be very successful, with more than 800 swimmers and over three thousand spectators enjoying the festivities on the morning.  The Christmas spirit was in abundance with hundreds crowding into the square at the Hi-Tide Inn creating a very festive mood.  Many supporters filled the beach and cheered the swimmers down to the waters edge.

There are several sea swims over the festive season and the Organisers believe that Porthcawl’s is the largest in the UK held on Christmas day and possibly the largest of all festive swims.  The age of swimmers range from children to senior citizens, many venture into the sea in family groups, some in fancy dress.  Sandy Bay in Porthcawl is likely to be busier on Christmas morning than on any summer day, especially this year, although the swimmers do not stay in the sea for quite as long!

On the day itself the proceedings will start at 11.00am with carol singing at the Hi Tide Inn Square.  All swimmers are asked to register between 10.45 and 11.15am.  The Hi Tide Inn, Mackworth Road, will provide both male and female changing rooms.  The local coastguard unit will signal the start of the swim at 11.45am.  Rest Bay Lifeguards and Porthcawl’s RNLI lifeboat crew will patrol the beach in support of the Swim. 

Arrangements are in place to make collections at the Hi Tide Inn on Christmas morning for the Swim’s chosen local charities and organisations.  The Wales Air Ambulance and Macmillan Cancer Support have been selected as the main beneficiaries of the fund-raising this year.  Several local organisations will also benefit.  To-date people’s generosity has allowed the swim committee to donate well in excess of £52,000 to local organisations.  Swimmers who are being sponsored are asked to submit details via the sponsorship form to the Swim Committee.  For those wishing to obtain sponsorship forms they can be downloaded from our website, www.christmasswim.co.uk or picked up at the Town Council Office in Victoria Avenue, Tourist Information Centre, or Jane’s Cards in John St. Porthcawl.

Treasurer Marilyn Richards, said, “We would like to know the total that will be raised via the swim, as we are sure each year there must be thousands of pounds raised by individual’s for their own charities of which we are unaware.  Our small committee is heavily involved in preparation again this year and we are rewarded by witnessing a successful swim and to know how much our efforts are supported.  We would also be very grateful for volunteers on the morning that could assist with our charity collection”.

Swim Chairman, Mel Bishop, said, “We are hoping for even bigger crowds on this, our 44^th year.  We have requested bright sunshine, so looking positively it could be warmer to take a swim in the sea than to stand by watching.  We would like to thank each and everyone who gives their support to help to make Porthcawl’s Christmas Morning Swim so successful”.