This New Year’s Day will see the 35th Saundersfoot New Year’s Day Charity Swim take place, with everyone urged to join in the fun and make it the best yet.

Last year, the swim attracted over 2000 swimmers and generated over £43,000 benefitting 53 charitable and worthwhile causes. Over the years, the swim has raised over £500,000.

The swim starts at 12.30pm and the swimmers will be sent on their way to the waves with a firework launch, courtesy of Westcoast Fireworks, while DJ Benny Bond will be on hand to give the event his usual seasonal commentary. In order to warm the swimmers up there will be a ‘Party Time Disco’ session with tunes from the past!

The event will be photographed by Gareth Davies so make sure you are smiling!

Each swimmer will be presented with a medal and there will be a prize for best fancy dress individual and group entries kindly donated by Stephen Cole.

Martyn Williams, chairman of Saundersfoot New Year’s Day Swim said, “The swim has become an integral part of the festive season for this area. I would also like to encourage all swimmers to raise as much money as possible for their chosen charity or worthy cause. We will ensure that every penny raised will go to that charity. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank once again the swim’s sponsors for their generous support”.

If you are holidaying in the Saundersfoot area over the New Year, why not join in the swim. It attracts thousands of spectators, who flock to the village to revel in the celebrations and cheer the thousand or so brave swimmers who don fancy dress outfits to take the plunge and raise money for worthwhile causes.

BBC AT NYDS 2019

Organisers of NYDS will be welcoming the BBC to the 2019 swim. ‘A Wild Year’, produced by the BBC Natural History Unit, is a three part series for BBC-2 which will bring a unique insight into the nature of three iconic parts of the British countryside. In the programme on Pembrokeshire, the BBC will explore the essential relationship between the landscape, the wildlife and the way of life of the human inhabitants along Pembrokeshire’s stunning coastline.

WHO SWIMS, YOU DECIDE

Due to the success of last year, the Swim Virgins competition has returned for NYDS 2019. This time, it’s the turn of the ladies with three unlikely heroines putting themselves all in the name of charity. They have two things in common - they have NEVER done a New Year’s Day Swim and they DO NOT want to do a New Year’s Day Swim!

However, that will change for one of them on January 1st. For the benefit of charity they have put themselves up for a public vote. All votes can now be cast at the Royal Oak, Saundersfoot.

Each vote will cost £1 and all the money will go to Breast Cancer and Alzheimer charities. The vote will close at 6pm on New Year’s Eve.

Whoever has most votes will make their swim debut the following morning.

The three unlikely heroines are of course Aurelies Wright, Kath Harries and Jan Davies (aka Mrs Ponty)

TRANSPORT & CAR PARKING

All swimmers and spectators are advised to get to the event early to avoid congestion. Organisers have been liaising with a number of organisations and businesses to ensure all available car parking areas in the village are open. If you know family or friends within the village, it may be advisable to use their driveways or consider car sharing. Organisers are working with Taf Valley Coaches to have a ‘Park & Ride’ service, which will operate from Kilgetty Tourist Information Centre and the village between 10.30am and 2.30pm – please view Facebook (Charlie Shivers) for the latest information.

Sponsor forms are still available from Elements of Pembrokeshire, The Strand, Saundersfoot, alternatively, you can visit the swim’s website at www.saundersfootnyds.co.uk and download your own form. Also keep up to date with the build by following Charlie Shivers on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram @CharlieShivers. The swim’s rugby and polo shirts are also available at Elements.

CHARLIE SHIVERS’ SAFETY TIPS FOR SWIMMERS

• If you suffer from any medical condition, please consult a doctor beforehand

• No entering the water under the influence of alcohol.

• Keep warm before the swim, especially your feet.

• Enter the water sensibly and be considerate to other swimmers.

• Do not stay in the water too long. Avoid prolonged exposure to the cold.

• Stay within one’s depth whilst in the water.

• If you feel unwell whilst in the water please contact a lifeguard or a member of the emergency services or if in the water raise your arm in the air. There will be medical assistance available.

• Children to be under the control of parents or designated adult.

• Please adhere to the guidance and instructions of the Lifeguards, Stewards and Emergency Services.

• Once out of the water, please dry yourself immediately and put on warm clothes. Experienced swimmers suggest having a ‘towel buddy’ nearby on the beach.

We hope that everyone will heed the above advice, but please note that all swimmers enter the sea at their own risk.

Any further information regarding the swim can be found on the website www.saundersfootnyds.co.uk, including safety advice for those swimming.

The swim’s organisers are proud to announce that the main sponsors for the NYDS 2019 are: Powells Cottage Holidays, Harbour Wealth Independent Financial Planners, Scaffold 2000, Sunnyvale Holiday Park, Broughton Leisure Ltd, Tees R Us, Princes Gate Spring Water, Elston Construction, Folly Farm, Taf Valley Coaches, Sue’s Pantry, Saundersfoot Pleasure Boats, 1 Formula Fitness, Little & Large Lite Bites, Tenby Glass, Synter MINI, Lewis, Lewis & Co Ltd, Mike Wealleans PVCu Specialist, Neil Finlay Cars, NBSM, Pembrokeshire Tyres & MOT and Saundersfoot Community Council.