The countdown is on to Tenby’s famous Boxing Day Swim, which will be splashing out from the North Beach for the 48th time on Wednesday.

Ranked amongst the festive highlights of Wales, the charity event has also been named as one of Britain’s top ten barmiest winter dips.

The swim is organised by the Tenby Sea Swimming Association (TSSA) which also stages the summertime Caldey Swim from the monastic island to the mainland.

These two events have enabled TSSA to raise nearly £280,000 for local, national and international charities and good causes over the years.

The 2017 Tenby Boxing Day Swim saw a superb entry of over 650 dippers who were cheered on by one of the largest-ever crowds in the event’s history, and hopes are high for an equally good turnout this year.

Said swim chairman Chris Osborne: “Amongst all the turbulence that seems to surround us at the moment, one of the seasonal ‘pillar’ events, Tenby’s Boxing Day Swim, is about to make another astonishing appearance.

“With all the regular additionals – the kayak, dinghy and raft races, followed by the fancy dress highlight of the year and the bonfire and soup kitchen – the swim is coming.

“And for those fundraisers out there, how much can you collect?

“Our charities this year are the Stroke Association, the Huntington’s Disease Association and Tenby RNLI, but we don’t mind if people prefer to collect for their own worthy causes.

“See you on the beach on the 26th, with the fun and games starting at 11am.”

PRIZES FOR CRAZY COSTUMES

Create your out-of-this-world fancy dress on the theme of Space Travel and win a prize!

The best adult group wins an experience for four people in Heatherton’s Escape Room, and there’s an afternoon tea for two at the Lindholme Hotel, Tenby for the best adult individual.

The best solo child wins a Clarice Toys voucher, with a treat also in store for the best children’s group.

IT’S TIME TO TAKE TO THE WATER!

Fun on the beach starts at 11am with festive music from DJ Steve Briers. There’s a kayak race, crazy raft race and fancy dress parade, with the costume theme of Space Travel.

The stampede for the sea is signalled at 11.30am, and swimmers can look forward to the warmth of the beach bonfire, under the supervision of Tenby RAF Air Cadets; hot soup served by Tenby Lions and a commemorative medal on their return to dry land.

DON’T GET WET FOR NOTHING!

Swimmers can collect for their own good causes, or the charities nominated by TSSA which this year are the Stroke Association, the Huntington’s Disease Association and Tenby RNLI

For a sponsor form and more information, visit www.tenbyboxingdayswim.co.uk

SWIM SPONSORS

The 2018 Tenby Boxing Day Swim is sponsored by FBM Holidays, Princes Gate Spring Water and Harbour Wealth Management.