IT’S THE BIGGEST YEAR YET FOR CHRISTMAS DAY SWIMMERS
THOUSANDS of people turned out in Porthcawl yesterday for the traditional Christmas Day swim.
A record number of swimmers took part, said organisers, with more than 1,300 registered, and with up to 5,000 spectators cheering them on for the 55th annual charity event.
With low tide at 11.29am, the swimmers had a long run down to the sea for the 11.45am start in dry, sunny conditions with beach-side temperatures of about 6C (42.8F). The sea temperature was 10C (50F) – slightly below the December 11.1C (49F) average.
Lucy Jones, secretary of the Porthcawl Christmas Swim, said the theme for this year’s event was A Trip Down Memory Lane. With many of the participants in fancy dress, funds raised will go to the Alzheimer’s Society Cymru, along with other local charities and organisations. The event is free, but those attending are encouraged to donate to charity, with £17,000 raised last year.
Costumes yesterday ranged from The Queen accompanied by the Queen’s Guard to the cast of Only Fools and Horses.
Swim chairman Dave King said: “Once again we have been grateful to all who supported our swim and the number of people who turned up was fantastic. Collections are made during the swim and we hope the bucket collections and swimmers sponsorship will help us to make some generous donations in the new year.
“We also received a fantastically generous donation of £1,000 from a gentleman dressed as Del Boy!
“We are delighted at the way we have been supported once again this year.”