Nearly 600 brave bathers took the plunge in the annual Tenby Boxing Day Swim.

Torrential rain just prior to the dash for the splash ensured the crowds of spectators were as wet as the swimmers, but the unseasonal like weather failed to dampen the lively atmosphere on the resort's North Beach.

The fancy dress theme of Sporting Heroes saw dippers turn out as cyclist Bradley Wiggins, the UK beach volleyball team, the equestrian team, plus rowers and boxers, and they all faced an Olympic-style sprint to the sea before splashing into sea - this year 9.5 degrees!

Mayor of Tenby, Clr. Trevor Hallett, and his mace bearer John Morgan gave the event a civic salute, judging the fancy dress competition, before helping to hand out the medals - a total of which 595 were distributed.

The event, now in its 42nd year, is organised by Tenby Sea Swimming Association and is set to raise thousands of pounds for charity, including PATCH (Pembrokeshire Action to Combat Hardship), the Tenby and District Gateway Club, the Tenby and Saundersfoot branch of the NSPCC and Meningitis UK.

Swim chairman Chris Osborne hailed the turn-out as 'amazing'.

He added: "Considering the weather conditions, the amount of people who took part was remarkable."

Fancy dress winners were: best individual child - Harry Vickery (Mervyn Davies), prize sponsored by Clarice Toys, Tenby; best child group - Tenby Junior School (Olympic flame), prize sponsored by Heatherton; best individual adult - Lorraine Jones (Olympic boxer Nicola Adams), prize sponsored by Buccaneer, Tenby; best adult group - Jenkins and Williams family (Racing Heroes), prize sponsored by Sainsbury's.

Festive commentary was provided by DJ Steve Briers, Tenby and Saundersfoot Lions served mulled wine, Heinz handed out soup and towels, while safety cover was provded by HM Coastguard, Tenby RNLI and Tenby Surf Lifesaving Club.

The main sponsors of the Tenby Boxing Day Swim were - FBM Holidays and Lewis, Lewis and Co., Ltd. Commemorative medals were sponsored and produced by Dylan Bendall, of WyCraft Badges, Jeffreyston; hi-vis jackets were sponsored by Simon Safety, Neyland; and the artwork and branding sponsor was Signature Design, Tenby.

Don't forget to 'like' Tenby Boxing Day Swim on Facebook!

FOOTNOTE: Across the pond, Tenby Boxing Day Swim veteran Dai Roberts took his 40th Boxing Day plunge. He and his wife Denise (nee Lang, of Saundersfoot) once again organised the Virginia Beach Boxing Day Swim. See next week's issue for a report and photograph.

Sponsorship money

Please hand in sponsorship money for the TSSA nominated charities to the Fourcroft Hotel as soon as possible. Meanwhile, if you took part raising money for another charity or good cause, please inform the organisers so your figure can be added to the overall event total.