Hundreds of brave bathers stampeded for the sea in the sunshine in Tenby to make the resort’s annual Boxing Day Swim a record-breaker.

At least 700 swimmers took to the water, which is the highest number in the event’s 46-year history.

Huge crowds gathered on and around the beach to watch the silly spectacle, whose fancy dress theme of The Music of the Sea attracted a Yellow Submarine, sirens and sea-shanty singing pirates.

Veteran Tenby entertainer Laurie Dale judged the event’s musical competition, which saw a clear victory for the drum-beating crew from Skanda Vale hospice and monastery in Carmarthenshire.

They also won tickets donated by Heatherton as their prize for the best adult group, while Tenby Church in Wales Primary School’s Yellow Submarine, complete with ‘beetles’, won a pool party at Tenby Leisure Centre as the best children’s group.

Amongst the brave bathers were the Mayor of Tenby, Clr. Laurence Blackhall, and his Mayoress, Sam Skyrme.

“It’s a fantastic event,” said Clr. Blackhall. “The sight of all those people going in the water and raising so much money for charity is amazing. There is no place I would rather be today.”

The event is organised by Tenby Sea Swimming Association, whose nominated good causes this year are Bloodwise, The Stroke Association and Tenby-based mental health charity Hafal. Swimmers are also able to raise money for their own personal charities.

These included the Paul Sartori Foundation, the British Heart Foundation, Macmillan Cancer Support and JDRF for research into Type 1 Diabetes in the young

The morning’s fun on the North Beach got underway with a lively kayak race, which was won by Rhys Griffiths, and the Daitanic raft race challenge, in memory of Dai Rees, where Dai’s family was first home ahead of a quartet of Tenby Aces teams.

There was also the traditional launch of the Tenby all-weather lifeboat, which stood by in the bay to watch over the swimmers, while DJ Steve Briers kept everyone informed and entertained with festive music and a commentary.

Brave bathers were rewarded with commemorative medals and were able to warm up with hot soup and mince pies served up by Tenby and District Lions.

Said swim chairman Chris Osborne: “What a great morning - glorious weather conditions and phenomenal crowds on the beach, above the beach and in the water. Hopefully this will translate into a brilliant sum for charity to add to the £260,000-plus that the swim has raised over the years.”

The swim is sponsored by Oakwood Theme Park, Princes Gate Water and FBM Holidays.

Pics. Gareth Davies Photography