The bright winter sun shone on more than 860 registered swimmers who took the traditional Christmas morning dip in the sea at Sandy Bay Porthcawl whilst an estimated 3000 to 4000 spectators cheered them on.

With a crowded beach Porthcawl Coastguards signaled the start and led swimmers down the beach, many in fancy dress, through the thousands of spectators from the Hi-Tide Inn to the sea at 11.45am. The procession of swimmers of all ages, male and female, were led from the Hi-Tide Inn to the beach by Victor Davies and Chris Hughes each with 40 plus swims to their name. Spectators gave their full support by applauding all those taking part in this the 45^th event. Swimmers from all over the UK took part; Kathryn and Rob Jones and family from Tasmania were visiting relatives in Blackwood and had contacted Swim Organisers earlier in the year to plan in the ‘Swim’ into their visit to the UK.

Amongst our regular entrants’ veteran swimmer Ken James of Ogmore Vale, Bridgend, claimed to be the oldest entrant at 83 and 31 previous Christmas swims to his credit. At the other end of the age spectrum there were many young children and their parents taking part; one of the youngest being 4 year old Blake Jones with his father Nigel from Porthcawl. The swim is a truly family event with many different generations of the same family taking to the sea and many in fancy dress.

Collections are made during carol singing and during the swim itself. A spokes person from the swim Committee, Ian Stroud, said, “Once again we have been grateful to all who supported our swim, the number of people that turned up was fantastic, it far exceeded our expectations especially with the very recent freezing conditions we have endured across the UK. We hope the collections will surpass previous years and with many swimmers being sponsored this year there should be even more financial support for our two main beneficiaries, ‘Y Bont’ and ‘Forces in Afghanistan Comfort Fund’. Whilst the latter is self explanatory ‘Y Bont’ is a charity “Enabling babies and preschool children with disabilities to lead rich, fulfilling lives”.

Chairman, Nicola Willis commented “Several other local organisations will also benefit., 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. 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 providing very sunny conditions for a swim that saw more people in the water than on most summer days”.